LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UMTED STATES OF AMERICA. 



* 



WESLEY'S LETTERS 

TO YOUNG WOMEN 



y 

A Series of Letters written by Rev. John Wesley 
to Several Young Christian Women 



EDITED BY 




NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON 
CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS 



— 



THE LIBRARY 

OF CONGRESS 

|WASH T 



Copyright by 
HUNT & EATON, 
1894. 



Composition, electrotyping, 
printing, and binding by 
Hunt & Eaton, 
izo Fifth Ave., New York. 



/ 



THE EDITOR'S LETTER 



TN the search for knowledge, which distin- 
guishes the young women of to-day, a prac- 
tical work on the spiritual life will prove of 
great service. All books on the devotional life 
give meditations or phases of the writer's ex- 
perience, with applications to himself or to 
imaginary persons. The peculiar advantage of 
Wesley's letters to young women is that they 
were written to different individuals in answer 
to their correspondence, to meet the needs of 
everyday life. For this reason they touch al- 
most every phase of young life, and lead from 
the beginnings of faith into the largest spiritual 
experience. How warm, fresh, and young these 
words of the experienced man of God ! 

Most of the letters were written when Wesley 
was between sixty and seventy years of age, 
and some of them after he had reached his 



iv 



THE EDITOR'S LETTER. 



eightieth year. John Wesley was born in 1 703 ; 
note his age from time to time, as you read, 
and, if possible, compare date of letters with 
his published Journals, and thus see what this 
wonderful man is doing when he snatches 
time to write to young Christians. If you re- 
ceive but a part of the blessing that has come 
to the editor in selecting these letters the book 
will not have gone forth in vain. 

Frank G. Porter. 

Aberdeen, Md. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

I. " Faithful in Comparatively Little 

Things " I 

II. Losing the Sense of God's Love 2 

III. 44 All the Promises Lie Fair Before You ". 4 

IV. 44 Powerful Advocates for Conformity to 

the World" 5 

V. 44 A Fresh Discovery of the Love of God ". 6 
VI. 44 A Means of Lessening your Burden". 7 

VII. 44 Genuine Grace, Unmixed with Paint " . 9 
VIII. 44 God will do His own Work in His own 

Manner" 1 1 

IX. 44 That Fresh Evidence of Pardon" 12 

X. 44 Difficult to Resist Hurtful Desire " 13 

XI. " Health You Shall Have, if Health be 

Best "... 14 

XII. 4 4 Avoid Disputes about Holiness" 15 

XIII. 44 He is Steering You to the Haven " 16 

XIV. 4 4 The Perfection I Believe and Teach". 17 
XV. On Marriage 19 

XVI. Salvation from Sin 19 

XVII. Concerning Giving 20 

XVIII. 44 Use All the Ability God Giveth " 21 

XIX. On Women as Class Leaders 22 

XX . 4 4 Never so Busy as to Forget my Friends " 23 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



XXI. ' 4 Weakness of Nerves cannot Prevent 

Joy in the Lord " 24 

XXII. 44 Be Anything but a Trifler M 24 

XXIII. Dangers of a Large Fortune 26 

XXIV. " Involuntary Defects do not Imply De- 

fects of Love " 29 

XXV. "One Branch of Christian Simplicity". 31 
XXVI. 14 In Peace and Love Wait for the Whole 

Promise" 33 

XXVII. "Every Reasonable Affection Intended 

to Last to Eternity" 35 

XXVIII. "What is Best for Eternity ? " 36 

XXIX. "Speak as Well as You Can for God ". 37 

XXX. " The Secret of Heart Religion " 38 

XXXI. Two Good Rules 39 

XXXII. 4 4 Do You Find no Decay in Faith ? " . . 40 
XXXIII. 44 Are You Always Sensible of the Pres- 
ence of God? " 41 

XXXIV. On Past Trials 42 

XXXV. 44 Be all His, and Admit no Rival into 

your Heart " 43 

XXXVI. "See that You do not Fall into Evil 

Reasonings" 44 

XXXYII. 44 Lean your whole Soul upon Him ". . 45 

XXXVIII. 44 There is no End of His Goodness ". . 46 

XXXIX. 44 1 am not Sony that You have Trials ". 47 

XL. 4 4 Is the Person a Believer?" 48 

XLI. 44 Is He Able to Keep You ? " 49 

XLII. 44 The Second Deliverance " 49 

XLIII. 44 The Danger of Whiling Away Time " 50 
XLIV. 44 A Deeper Fellowship with the 

Father"...........,..,. 51 



CONTENTS. Vll 

PAGE 

XLV. 44 Continue Likewise to be Useful in 

Your Generation " 52 

XLVI. New Dangers 53 

XLVII. Two Things about the Pure Love of 

God 54 

XLVIII. Praying for Temporal Things 55 

XLIX. 44 A Little Thing to Trust God as Far 

as we can See Him " 56 

L. A Means of Holiness 56 

LI. "It Concerns Us to Follow our Own 

Light" 58 

LIL "Distinguish between Sin and Temp- 
tation " 58 

LIII. " A Babe in the Pure Love of Christ ". . 60 
LIV. 44 You are not Called to Desire Suffer- 
ing " 61 

LV. " He Hears the Cry of your Heart "... ,62 

LVI. " Never Let Slip any Blessing " 63 

LVII. 44 Thy Race of Duty Run " 64 

LVIII. A Great Step toward Christian Resig- 
nation 66 

LTX. " Satan Mimicked the Works of God " . 67 

LX. M A Dangerous Way of Thinking " 69 

LXI. 44 The Brightest Crown will be Given 

to the Sufferers " 70 

LXIL " Only Unbelief Keeps Out the Mighty 

Blessing" 71 

LXIII. 44 Steer the Middle Way " 73 

LXIV. 44 Childlike Boldness of Faith Pecul- 
iarly Necessary 7 " 74 

LXV. The Uses of Affliction 76 

LXVI. 44 Beware of Striking into New Paths" 77 



Vlll 



CONTEXTS. 



PAGB 



LXVII. 11 Can You give up All for Christ?". . . 78 

LXVIIL " Be Altogether Christians" 79 

LXIX. " Faith is Spiritual Sight " 81 

LXX. "You Look Inward too Much, and 

Upward too Little " 83 

LXXI. 11 Communion of Saints Extends to 

Those in Paradise " 84 

LXXII. " Difference between Heaviness and 

Darkness of Soul " 86 

LXXIII. "Thousands Perish through the Neg- 
lect of Others " 90 

LXXIV. "You Never Need Lose Anything of 

What God has Wrought " 93 

LXXV. "One Means of Retaining the Pure 

Love of God " 95 

LXXVI. 4i Redeeming the Time " 96 

LXXVIL "Do You Feel Nothing Contrary to 

Resignation ? " 98 

LXXVIIL "An Inlet for a Thousand Delusions" 99 

LXXIX. " Do You Live in Eternity?" 100 

LXXX. " A Close Trial " 101 

LXXXI. Why Middle-aged Christians are Less 

Zealous for God 102 

LXXXII. "The Scandal of the Cross is Ceased" 104 
LXXXIII. ''Three Different Ways Wherein God 

Leads His People" 105 

LXXXIV. "Our Lives are Not at Our Own Dis- 
posal" 106 

LXXXV. "Chance has No Share in the Govern- 
ment of the World " 108 

LXXXVI. "Nothing Higher than Pure Love" 109 
LXXX VII. "Full Salvation Attainable Now by 

Faith " no 



CONTENTS. ix 

PAGE 

LXXXVIII. "Children are Glorious Monuments 

of Divine Grace " in 

LXXXIX. "Read a Little, Pray and Meditate 

Much" 113 

XC. " Habes fidem, sed exiguam " 114 

XCI. " Love is the Spring of all Inward 

and Outward Obedience " 116 

XCII. " In what Sense do you Pray without 

Ceasing?" 117 

XCIII. "Boldly Lay Hold on the Promise" 118 

XCIV. ' 4 You Cannot Escape Censure " 119 

XCV. 44 Be all Light, all Fire, all Love "... 120 
XCVI. "You are in His School of Afflic- 
tion " 121 

XCVII. "To be Not Almost but Altogether a 

Christian" 122 

XCVIII. 44 O Look unto Him and be Saved ! " 123 
XCIX. 44 The Best Means of Purifying your 

Soul" , 124 

C. 44 If there is no Fight, there is no 

Victory" 126 

CI. 44 What is It our Lord calls You to 

Now ? " 131 

CII. 44 Times of Nearer Access to God". 132 
CHI. 44 Dividing Line of Truth and False- 
hood " 133 

CIV. 44 Satan Attacks Us on the Weak 

Side " 134 

CV. 44 More Sail than Ballast" 135 

CVI. 4< Peace will Increase as your Faith 

Increases " 135 

CVII. 44 The Whole of Religion Contracted 

to a Point " 137 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



CVIII. 11 Our Advances in the Race set be- 
fore Us" 138 

CIX. " My own Mother" 139 

CX. " Only just beginning to be a Dis- 
ciple of Jesus Christ" 140 

CXI. 11 Rejoice in God your Saviour" 142 

CXII. 44 P rayer the Grand Means of Drawing 

Near to God " 143 

CXIII. "Never be Afraid of Expecting too 

Much " 144 

CXIV. 44 The Earnest and the Slack " 145 

CXV. u Some have More of Heat, some of 

Light" 146 

CXVI. 4 ■ The Scripturally Perfect" 147 

CXVII. A Cause of Second Darkness — Evil 

Reasoning , 148 

CXVIII. "Are You Making the Best of Life?" 149 

CXIX. 44 Exercised in Things Divine " 151 

CXX. " Connection between Right Judg- 
ment and Right Tempers" 153 

CXXI. 44 The Whole Compass of Religion". 154 

CXXII. 44 Anger at Sin is a Duty" 156 

CXXIII. 44 1 Love One that Perseveres in Dry 

Duty" 157 

CXXIV. 44 Properties of Christian Friendship" 158 
CXXV. 44 Sum up the Experience of Persons " 160 
CXXVI. 44 1 Feel more Want of Heat than 

Light" 162 

CXXVII. 44 Do not Confine Your Conversation 

to Genteel and Elegant people". . 164 
CXXVIII. 44 Circumstances which Shock the 

Delicacy of our Education " 166 

CXXIX. 4 'Always in Haste, Never in a Hurry " 167 



WESLEY'S LETTERS 

TO 

YOUNG WOMEN. 



i. 

" FAITHFUL IN COMPARATIVELY LITTLE THINGS." 

[For nearly thirty years Miss Furly was one of Mr. 
Wesley's special correspondents. Her father was a 
clergyman, living at Roach, highly esteemed by Mr. 
Wesley. He kept up his friendship with the family by 
the following affectionate letters. The correspondence 
began as a help to a suffering young woman, opening up 
the value of small service for God.] 

December 22, 1756. 
TT is a happy thing if we can learn obedience 
* by the things which we suffer. Weakness 
of body and heaviness of mind will, I trust, 
have this good effect upon you. The particu- 
lar lesson which you have now to learn is to 
be faithful in comparatively little things, 
particularly in conversation. God hath given 
you a tongue. Why ? That you may praise 



2 wesley's letters 

him therewith ; that all your conversation may 
be, for the time to come, "meet to minister 
grace to the hearers." Such conversation and 
private prayer exceedingly assist each other. 
By resolutely persisting, according to your 
little strength, in all works of piety and mercy, 
you are waiting on God in the old scriptural 
way. And therein he will come and save you. 
Do not think he is afar off. He is nigh that 
justifleth, that sanctifieth. Beware you do not 
thrust him away from you. Rather say, 

1 1 My heart would now receive thee, Lord : 
Come in, my Lord, come in ! " 

Write as often and as freely and fully as you 
please to 

Your affectionate brother and servant. 

To Miss Furly. 

II. 

LOSING THE SENSE OF GOD'S LOVE. 

[Sent from Bristol but written at Heptonstal-on-the 
Mountain. She had asked advice how to pick out ac- 
quaintances. There is a liking for the more genteel, and 
there is danger of losing the sense of God's love.] 

Bristol, May 18, 1757. 

THE great point is to pick out in Bristol, 
as in all places, such acquaintance as have 
a deep fear of God, a continual consciousness 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



3 



of his presence, and a strong thirst after his 
whole image. Such I take most of the leaders 
of bands to be, and such are many of the poor 
in the society; but extremely few of the rich 
or honorable Methodists are of that number. 
My dear sister, I have been in pain for you on 
their account. When I talked with you last 
you could relish the simplicity of the Gospel ; 
you were athirst for all the mind that was in 
Christ, and wanted to walk just as he walked. 
O, let none persuade you, either by example or 
advice, to make any, the least deviation from 
that good way. Make no abatement ; do not 
soften the plain, rough Gospel; do not 

Measure back your steps to earth again. 

Be not, either inwardly or outwardly, con- 
formed to this world, but be a Christian alto- 
gether. 

Health you shall have if health be best. 
And He that gives it will give a blessing with 
it, an increase of spiritual as well as of bodily 
strength ; but it is strength to labor, not to 
sit still. And this strength will either increase 
or decrease in the same proportion with your 
sense of his love. You may lose this sense 
either, i. By committing sin. Or, 2. By omit- 
ting duty. Or, 3. By giving way to pride, anger, 



• 



4 



wesley's letters 



or any other inward sin. Or, 4. By not watch- 
ing unto prayer; by yielding to indolence or 
spiritual sloth. But it is no more necessary 
that we should ever lose it than it is necessary 

we should omit duty or commit sin. 
To Miss Furly. 

III. 

"ALL THE PROMISES LIE FAIR BEFORE YOU." 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 14, 1757. 
V/^OU have reason to praise God for what he 
* has done and to expect all that he has 
promised. Indeed, if it were required that you 
should work this in yourself your impotence 
might be a bar to your expectations ; and so 
might your unworthiness, if God required any 
merit of yours, in order to his working in you. 
But what impotence in you can be a bar to 
the almighty power of God ? And what un- 
worthiness can hinder the free love of God — 
his love in and through Christ Jesus? So 
that all the promises lie fair before you. The 
land flowing with milk and honey, the Canaan 
of his perfect love, is open. Believe, and 
enter in ! 

It is an observation of one of the ancients 
that it is far easier not to desire praise than 
not to be pleased with it. A bare conviction 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



s 



that it is, generally speaking, deadly poison 

may prevent our desiring it ; but nothing less 

than humble love filling the heart will prevent 

our being pleased with it; for the sense of 

honor is as natural to man as the sense of 

tasting or feeling. But when that which is 

spiritual is fully come this which is corruptly 

natural shall be done away. 

Whatever enemies you have, it is enough that 

you have a Friend who is mightier than them 

all. O let him reign in your heart alone ! Do 

not spare to speak with all freedom to, dear 

Miss Furly, 

Your affectionate brother and servant. 
To Miss Furly. 

IV. 

" POWERFUL ADVOCATES FOR CONFORMITY TO 

THE WORLD." 

[He opens the way to a more joyful life. She speaks 
freely of the pleasure that comes from the praise of 
others. In this and the following letter he gently 
warns her not to hear others too much, as she is easily 
** influenced by fair words."] 

June 18, 1757. 
AM the more jealous over you because I 
* know you are liable to be much influenced 
by fair words, especially when they are 
spoken by persons of sense, and in an agree- 



6 wesley's letters 

able manner. And flesh and blood are pow- 
erful advocates for conformity to the world, 
particularly in little things. But, blessed be 
God, we have an unction from the Holy One, 
ready to teach us of all things. O let us at- 
tend to this inward teaching, which, indeed, is 
always consonant with the word. Then the 
word, applied by the Spirit, shall be a light in 
all our ways and a lamp in all our paths. 

Fight on and conquer ! Change of place, 
as you observe, is but a little thing. But God 
has, in some measure, changed your heart, 
wherein you have great reason to rejoice. 
And, having received the first fruits of the 
Spirit, righteousness, peace, and joy in the 
Holy Ghost, patiently and earnestly wait for 
the great change, whereby every root of bitter- 
ness may be torn up. 

To Miss Furly. 

V. 

"A FRESH DISCOVERY OF THE LOVE OF GOD." 

York, July r, 1757. 
pvEAR MISS FURLY: I cannot write to 
^ you now so fully as I would, but I send a 
few lines. Mere temptation certainly does 
not weaken without yielding to temptation. 
Yet a heaviness and soreness may remain 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



7 



upon the spirit till there is a fresh discovery 
of the love of God. 

A jealous fear of offending God is good. 
But what have you to do with any other fear? 
Let love cast it all out, and at the same time 
make you tenfold more afraid of doing any- 
thing, small or great, which you cannot offer 
up as a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God 
through Jesus Christ. 

All who are without this fear (and much 
more all who call it legal, who revile the 
precious gift of God, and think it a hindrance 
to " the growing up in Christ ") are Antino- 
mians in the inmost soul. Come not into their 
secret, my dear Miss Furly, but pray for 
more and more of that "legal spirit," and you 

will more and more rejoice. 

To Miss Furly. 

VI. 

"A MEANS OF LESSENING YOUR BURDEN." 

[She is afraid that she has offended him by writing so 
freely. He urges a full expression of her religious de- 
sires. She wants to know if many are made perfect in 
love until a little before death.] 

Tremeneare, September 6, 1757. 
\1 7HY you should be afraid, on account of 
* y anything you said to me, I do not know. 
Certainly if you had said whatever was in 



8 



Wesley's letters 



your heart it might have been a means of 
lessening your burden and not of increasing 
it. I believe you often have a desire, and 
almost a resolution, of saying a great deal to 
me ; but when you come to write or speak 
your heart fails. Why should it ? Why should 
you repress yourself ? I should not despise 
but love you for your openness. It is the 
fruit and proof of an honest heart. I know 
you are weak ; I know a little of your par- 
ticular weakness. But so much the more 
am I concerned for you, as a tender, sickly 
flower. 

Away then with this reserve ; it answers no 
end but to trouble and embarrass you. Tell 
me, freely and plainly, any difficulty you meet 
with, any enemy against whom you want 
help. Use me as a friend, as I hope you will 
use Sister Crosby, and you will find it a bless- 
ing to your soul. It will again bring the 
promise of holiness near, which indeed always 
seems to be far off when we give way to any 
known sin, when we anyway grieve the Spirit 
of God. There may be some rare cases 
wherein God has determined not to bestow 
his perfect love till a little before death; but 
this I believe is uncommon ; he does not 
usually put off the fulfilling of his promises. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



9 



Seek, and you shall find ; seek earnestly, and 

you shall find speedily. Lift up the hands 

that hang down ; deny yourself ; take up 

your cross, whether that of meeting your 

class or any othen Fight on, and victory is 

at hand ! 

To Miss Furly. 

VII. 

" GENUINE GRACE, UNMIXED WITH PAINT." 

[He again opens the way for free writing. She often 
walks thorny paths ; has difficulty about private prayer, 
which proves a cross to her.] 

St. Austle, Cornwall, September 25, 1757. 

MY DEAR SISTER : It is a rule with me 
to take nothing ill that is well meant ; 
therefore you have no need ever to be afraid 
of my putting an ill construction on anything 
you say ; for I know you mean only to save 
your soul. In most genteel religious people 
there is so strange a mixture that I have 
seldom much confidence in them. I love the 
poor ; in many of them I find pure, genuine 
grace, unmixed with paint, folly, and affecta- 
tion. But I think Mrs. Gaussen is upright of 
heart; and perhaps you may find one or two 
gentle-women like her. 

It is plain God sees it best for you frequently 



IO 



wesley's letters 



to walk in a thorny path. By this means he 
aims at destroying your pride of heart and 
breaking your stubborn will. You have had 
large experience that there is no substantial 
or lasting happiness but in him. O be true 
to yourself and to your own experience ! Do 
not seek it where it cannot be found. Hew 
out to yourself no more broken cisterns, but 
let all the springs of your happiness be in 
him. 

You cannot be too careful to keep out of 
the way of anything that has been the occasion 
of sin. And it is very possible to show civility 
and moderate respect to any person without 
coming in the way of danger. All private 
conversation may be avoided, and ought to 
be, at all hazards. Do not run yourself 
into temptation, and God will deliver you from 
evil. 

Nature and the devil will always oppose 
private prayer ; but it is worth while to break 
through. That it is a cross will not hinder its 
being a blessing ; nay, often the more reluc- 
tance, the greater blessing. 

To Miss Furfy, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



II 



VIII. 

"GOD WILL DO HIS OWN WORK IN HIS OWN 

MANNER." 

[She is troubled because her experience is not as that 
of others. The darkness brought sorrow, and she would 
know the reason. Some have spoken ** rough " words. 
She had prayed.] 

Bristol, October 21, 1757. 

MY DEAR SISTER : God will do his 
own work in his own manner, and it 
matters not whether it be wrought in a more 
pleasing or painful manner, so it is wrought ; 
so nature is subdued, pride and self-will de- 
throned, and the will of God done in us and 
by us. Therefore trouble not yourself about 
the experience of others ; God knows you, and 
let him do with you as he sees best. 

I judge your late distress to be partly the 
effect of disease, but chiefly preternatural. In 
the third Journal, there is a case nearly parallel, 
only the symptoms were more severe. For, in 
a moment, Lucretia Smith felt such a cloud 
spread over her that she could not believe 
there was a God or an after state. You did 
right to pray, as you could pray ; and this is 
the best method which can be taken in heavi- 
ness or darkness of any kind. Then, if sin 
be the cause, it will be discovered. But take 



12 



wesley's letters 



care that you do not refuse any help ; even 
rough speakers may be of service. Only 
spread what they say before the Lord, and he 
will turn it to good. 

To Miss Fu rly. 



"THAT FRESH EVIDENCE OF PARDON." 



XDOUBTEDLY you may arise now and 



^ receive power from on high. You are 
hindered chiefly by not understanding the 
freeness of the gift of God. You are perpetu- 
ally seeking for something in yourself to move 
him to love and bless you. But it is not to be 
found there ; it is in himself and in the Son 
of his love. He did then give you a proof of 
this, in that fresh evidence of pardon ; and he 
is ready to give it you again to-day ; for he is 
not weary of well-doing. But even after this 
you may or you may not use the power which 
attends that peace. And if you ask for more 
power it shall be given you ; for you have an 
Advocate with the Father. O cast yourself 
upon him ; learn more of that lesson : 



IX. 



Lewisham, February 9, 1758. 




Thy salvation to obtain, 



Out of myself I go : 
Freely thou must heal my pain, 
Thy unbought mercy show. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN, 



13 



How much of it you may find in this hour ! 

Look up, and see redemption near ! 
To Miss Furly. 

X. 

"DIFFICULT TO RESIST HURTFUL DESIRE." 

[Trifling conversation causes her to become discour- 
aged, and she is ready to yield. The cross is heavy and 
she shrinks from it.] 

Dublin, April 13, 1758. 
TT seems best for you to have frequent returns 
* of weakness; it may be needful to fix serious- 
ness upon your spirit, by a lasting impression, 
that there is but one step between you and 
eternity. But sickness alone will not do this; 
no, nor even the near approach of death. Un- 
less the Spirit of God sanctify both, a man may 
laugh and trifle with his last breath. 

You will overcome trifling conversation and 
the fear of man, not by yielding, but by fight- 
ing. This is a cross which you cannot be ex- 
cused from taking up; bear it, and it will bear 
you. By prayer you will receive power so to 
do, to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. But 
it is more difficult to resist hurtful desire; I am 
most afraid you should give way to this. Herein 
you have need of all the power of God. O stand 
fast ! Look up, and receive strength! I shall be 
glad to hear that you are more than conqueror, 



r 4 



wesley's letters 



and that you daily grow in the vital knowledge 

of Christ. Peace be with your spirit! 
To Jfiss Furly. 

XI. 

" HEALTH YOU SHALL HAVE, IF HEALTH 

BE BEST." 

Dece?7iber 28, 1 753. 

Y DEAR SISTER: I thought it long since 
I heard from you, but I imputed it to 
vour illness. And I did not desire you should 
do anything which would put you to pain or 
increase your bodily weakness. 

When you seemed confident of receiving the 
promise in a few days I did not judge it need- 
ful to say anything to the contrary, both be- 
cause I was persuaded that expectation would 
be a quickening to your soul and because I 
knew you had one near you who was able to 
advise you in any emergency. See that your 
desires do not cool, and you shall not be 
ashamed of this confident expectation. So 
long as it is tempered with resignation it can 
do you no disservice. And what else is there 
worthy of a desire ? Health you shall have, if 
health be best, even bodily health. But what 
is that in comparison of a healthful mind ? And 

this you are sure to have. 
To Miss Furly. 




TO YOUNG WOMEN 



*5 



XII. 

"AVOID DISPUTES ABOUT HOLINESS." 

[For a year and a half no letters are preserved. She 
has not yet found " perfect love." The difficulty may be 
" disputes about holiness." What can she do ?] 

Athlone, June I, 1760. 
JWl Y DEAR SISTER: I am persuaded it is 
* * not a little thing which will make me 
angry at you. I hope your thinking evil of me 
would not, for you may have many reasons so 
to do. 

Try : perhaps by prayer and a little resolu- 
tion you may avoid hearing those disputes 
about holiness. It implies no more than this : 
if John Jones, or any other, begins a discourse 
concerning the errors or sins of absent persons 
tell him, " I beg you would say no more on this 
head ; I dare not, and I will not, hear, unless 
those persons were present." If one begins any 
caution of that kind, stop him, only with mild- 
ness and good humor ; say, " I believe you 
speak out of kindness, but I must not hear ; it 
both distresses and hurts my soul ; therefore, 
if you really wish my welfare, be silent, or 
let us call another cause." Where you see 
good you may add, " I consulted Mr. Wes- 



1 6 wesley's letters 

ley on this head, and this was the advice 
he gave me." 

Xo one ever " walked in the light as God is 
in the light " (I mean, in the full sense of the 
expression) till " the blood of Jesus Christ had 
cleansed him from all sin." " If we are per- 
fectly saved it is through his blood." This is 
the plain meaning of the text, and it may be 
fulfilled in you before you sleep. God is 
sovereign in sanctifying as well as justifying. 
He will act when as well as how he pleases, 
and none can say unto him, " What doest 
thou ? " 

To Miss Furly. 

XIII. 

" HE IS STEERING YOU TO THE HAVEN." 

Norwich, Jayiuary 18, 1761. 

MY DEAR SISTER : I have sometimes 
wondered that not one of all the clergy- 
men we have known should ever cleave to me 
for God's sake ; nor one man of learning, 
which would ease me exceedingly. Tommy 
Walsh designed it, 

But death had quicker wings than love. 

Perhaps it was not best, because I am so im- 
measurably apt to pour out all my soul into 
any that love me. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



It is well for Sister Clarke that she is landed 
safe. And it is well for us, who are still amidst 
the waves, that He is with us whom the winds 
and the seas obey. He is steering you to the 
haven, where you would be. You may well 
trust your soul with him and let him do with 
you as seemeth him good. 

Certainly nothing can be of greater impor- 
tance than the behavior both of those who are 
renewed and of those who are known to be 
pressing after it. You have need to weigh 
every step you take. When and where do you 

meet now? And who are they that meet? 
To Miss Furly. 

XIV. 

"THE PERFECTION I BELIEVE AND TEACH." 

[A friend advises that she is not to expect much till 
death. She affirms that great blessings have been re- 
ceived. How does he mark out " sanctification ? " Will 
it exclude mistakes ? Can an invalid girl receive the full 
blessing of perfection ?] 

St. Ives, September^, 1762. 
JWIY DEAR SISTER: Whereunto you 
* " * have attained, hold fast. But expect 
that greater things are at hand, although our 
friend talks as if you were not to expect them 
till the article of death. 



i8 



wesley's letters 



Certainly sanctification (in the proper sense) 
is "an instantaneous deliverance from all sin," 
and includes "an instantaneous power then 
given, always to cleave to God." Yet this 
sanctification (at least in the lower degrees) 
does not include a power never to think a 
useless thought nor ever speak a useless 
word. I myself believe that such a perfection 
is inconsistent with living in a corruptible 
body, for this makes it impossible " always to 
think right." While we breathe we shall, 
more or less, mistake. If, therefore, Chris- 
tian perfection implies this, we must not ex- 
pect it till after death. 

I want you to be all love. This is the per- 
fection I believe and teach. And this per- 
fection is consistent with a thousand nervous 
disorders, which that high-strained perfection 
is not. Indeed, my judgment is that (in 
this case particularly) to overdo is to undo, 
and that to set perfection too high (so high as 
no man that we ever heard or read of attained) 
is the most effectual (because unsuspected) 

way of driving it out of the world. 

To Miss Furly, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 19 

XV. 

ON MARRIAGE. 

[She asks three questions relating to married life. 
Her confidence in Mr. Wesley is so strong that she men- 
tions her lover's name. She never married ; probably ill 
health prevented.] 

London, July 16, 1763. 
JWl Y DEAR SISTER: i. So far as I know 
what will make me most holy and most 
useful I know what is the will of God. 

2. Certainly it is possible for persons to be as 
devoted to God in a married as in a single state. 

3. I believe John Downes is thoroughly de- 
sirous of being wholly devoted to God, and 
that, if you alter your condition at all, you 

cannot choose a more proper person. 

To Miss Furly. 

XVI. 

SALVATION FROM SIN. 

Lewisham, December 15, 1763. 

lUY DEAR SISTER : It has seemed to me 

* ' * for some time that God will not suffer 

Cornelius Bastable to live at Cork. He may 

starve there, but he cannot live. The people 

are not worthy of him. 

Salvation from sin is a deeper and higher 

work than either you or S. Ryan can con- 
3 



20 



Wesley's letters 



ceive. But do not imagine (as we are con- 
tinually prone to do) that it lies in an indivis- 
ible point. You experienced a taste of it when 
you were justified ; you since experienced the 
thing itself, only in a low degree, and God gave 
you his Spirit that you might know the things 
which he had freely given you. Hold fast the 
beginning of your confidence steadfast unto 
the end. You are continually apt to throw 
away what you have for what you want. 
However, you are right in looking for a far- 
ther instantaneous change as well as a constant 
gradual one. But it is not good for you to be 
quite alone; you should converse frequently 
as well as freely with Miss Johnson and any 
other that is much alive. 

To Miss Fitrly. 

XVII. 

CONCERNING GIVING. 

[She questions him concerning giving. It seems to 
disturb her that she must give attention to the mammon 
of unrighteousness. She has come for advice to the best 
example of systematic giving since the days of the apos- 
tles.] 

Edinburgh, May 28, 1764. 
JWIY DEAR SISTER: Certainly it would 
* be right to spend some time in setting 
down both the outward providences of God 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



21 



and the inward leadings and workings of his 
Spirit as far as you can remember them. But 
observe withal you are called to be a good 
steward of the mammon of unrighteousness. 
You must therefore think of this, too, in its 
place only without anxiety, otherwise that 
neglect of your calling will hinder the work 
of God in your heart. You are not serving 
mammon by this, but serving Christ ; it is 
part of the task which he has assigned you. 
Yet it is true your heart is to be free all the 
time; and see that you stand fast in the lib- 
erty wherewith Christ hath made you free. 
To Miss Furly. 

XVIII. 

"USE ALL THE ABILITY GOD GIVETH." 

London, August 2, 1776. 

MY DEAR SISTER : I know not that you 
differ from me at all. You are certainly 
in your place at present, and it seems one 
providential reason of your ill health was to 
drive you thither. Now use all the ability 
which God giveth, and he will give more. 
Unto him that hath shall be given, and he 
shall have more abundantly ; it is the hand of 
the diligent that maketh rich. If you can per- 
suade honest Alice Brammah to be cleanly as 



22 



wesley's letters 



well as gentle she will be tenfold more useful, 
and so will Billy Brammah if he will be teach- 
able and advisable ; otherwise there is a fly in 
the pot of ointment. You are sent to Leeds 
chiefly for the sake of those that enjoy or thirst 
after perfect love. Redeem the time ! Goon 
in His name ! And let the world and the 

devil fall under your feet. 
To Miss Furly % 

XIX. 

ON WOMEN AS CLASS LEADERS. 

[Miss Furly had for many years acted as leader of a 
class of women. She asks if it will be improper to lead 
a class of men. This answer has a peculiar interest in 
our day.] 

October, 1776. 

IVAY DEAR SISTER: You have abundant 
* * * reason to praise God, who has dealt so 
mercifully with you, and to encourage all 
about you never to rest till they attain full 
salvation. 

As to the question you propose, if the leader 
himself desires it, and the class be not unwill- 
ing, in that case there can be no objection to 
your meeting a class even of men. This is 
not properly assuming or exercising any au- 
thority over them. You do not act as a su- 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



23 



perior, but an equal, and it is an act of friend- 
ship and brotherly love. 

I am glad you had a little conversation with 
Miss Ritchie. She is a precious soul. Do her 
all the good you can, and incite her to exert 

all the talents which God has given her. 
To Miss Furly. 

XX. 

"NEVER SO BUSY AS TO FORGET MY FRIENDS." 

London, December 1, 1781. 
IWI Y DEAR SISTER: Never be afraid that 
* * * I should think your letters troublesome; I 
am never so busy as to forget my friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher made an excellent 
beginning, and I trust they will increase with 
all the increase of God. Now, let all of you 
that remain in the neighborhood arise up and 
supply her lack of service. Be instant in season 
out of season; that all may know you have 
caught her mantle ! 

But pray do not suffer my poor Miss Ritchie 
to work herself to death. Let her do all she 

can, and not more than she can. 

To Miss Furly. 



24 wesley's letters 

XXI. 

" WEAKNESS OF NERVES CANNOT PREVENT JOY IN 

THE LORD." 

[This is the last letter to Miss Furly, as far as we know. 
Healthy man as Mr. Wesley is, he can sympathize with 
an invalid. With all her sickness, Miss Furly found at 
last that M perfect love," with its joy, for which she sought 
so long and earnestly.] 

Near London, November 21, 1783. 




Y DEAR SISTER: Through the blessing 
of God I find no difference at all between 



the health and strength which are now given me 
and that which I had forty years ago. Only 
I had then many pains which I have not now. 

You are enabled to give a very clear and 
standing proof that weakness of nerves cannot 
prevent joy in the Lord. Your nerves have 
been remarkably weak, and that for many years; 
but still your soul can magnify the Lord and 

your spirit rejoice in God your Saviour ! 

To Miss Furly. 

XXII. 

" BE ANYTHING BUT A TRIFLER." 

[The two earnest letters (XXII and XXIII) to this un- 
known young woman brought a reply that must have 
given Mr. Wesley great joy. They are noticeable for two 
hings : first, that he sought the conversion of persons to 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



2 5 



God, and not to his own private opinions. He opened 
the way to any outward profession, if only the heart was 
right with God. Second, he gave the model of how to 
reprove or warn.] 

February 21, 1759. 
DROBABLY, Miss—, this may be the 
* last trouble of the kind which you will 
receive from me. Therefore you may forgive 
me this, and the rather when you consider my 
motives to it. You know I can have no tem- 
poral view; I can have none but a faint, distant 
hope (because with God all things are possible) 
of doing some service to one whom I love. 
And this may answer the question which you 
might naturally ask, " What would you have ? 
What do you want with me ? M I want you 
not to be a convert to my opinions, but to be 
a member of Christ, a child of God, and an 
heir of his kingdom. Be anything, as to ouU 
ward profession, so you are lowly in heart 5 so. 
you resist and conquer every motion of pride, 
and have that mind in you which was also in 
Christ Jesus. Be what you please besides ; 
only be meek and gentle, and in patience pos- 
sess your soul ; so that one may truly say to you, 

" Calm thou ever art within, 
All unruffled, all serene." 

Hear what preacher you will, but hear the 
voice of God, and beware of prejudice and 



26 



Wesley's letters 



every unkind temper; beware of foolish and 
hurtful desires, or they will pierce you through 
with many sorrows. In one word, be anything 
but a trifler, a trifler with God and your own 
soul. It was not for this that God gave you 

"A mind superior to the vulgar herd." 

No, Miss , no ! but that you might employ 

all your talents to the glory of Him that gave 
them. O, do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God! 
Is he not still striving with you? striving to 
make you, not almost, but altogether, a Chris- 
tian ? Indeed, you must be all or nothing ; a 
saint or a devil, eminent in sin or holiness! 
The good Lord deliver you from every snare, 
and guide your feet in the way of peace ! How 
great a pleasure would this give to all your real 
friends, and in particular to 

Your affectionate servant for Christ's sake. 
To Miss . 

XXIII. 

DANGERS OF A LARGE FORTUNE. 

Colchester, March 20, 1759. 
J\ l\ Y wife, Miss — — , surprised me last night 
* ' *• by informing me you are left mistress of a 
large fortune. Shall I say, agreeably surprised 
me ? I cannot tell, because I believe there is 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



2 7 



another world, and I do not know what influ- 
ence this change may have on your condition. 
Therefore I am in fear and in hope. You may 
be hereby far more happy, or far more miser- 
able, in eternity! O, make a stand! Consider 
the situation you are in ; perhaps never before 
were you in so great danger. You know a little 
of your natural tempers ; now you have means 
of indulging, and thereby inflaming, them to 
the uttermost. And how many will incite you 
so to do! How few will dare to warn you 
against it ! Now what food will you have for 
pride! what infinite temptations to think more 
highly than you ought to think! You do so 
already. But O, where will you stop ? The 
good Lord arrest the storm in mid-career ! 
How impetuously now, unless God interpose, 
must self-will whirl you along! How deeply, 
unless he help, will you shortly be immersed 
in practical atheism ! as ten thousand things 
will concur to drive God out of your thoughts, 
as much as if he were not in the world. But, 
above all, how will you escape from being 
swallowed up in idolatry ? love of the world, 
such as you never knew before ? 

Hitherto you have been greatly superior to 
every delicacy in food ; but even this may as- 
sault you now, and perhaps raise in you other 



28 Wesley's letters 

desires which you are now a stranger to. At 
present, you are above the follies of dress; but 
will you be so a twelvemonth hence? May 
you not easily slide into the pride of life, in 
this as well as other instances ? especially con- 
sidering how your vanity will be gratified 
thereby ? For who will not admire and applaud 
your admirable taste? It will only remain for 
you to marry some agreeable person, that has 
much wit and sense, with little or no religion ; 
then it is finished ! Either you will be thor- 
oughly miserable in this world or miserable to 
eternity. 

"But what business is this of yours ? Cannot 
you let me alone ? What have I to do with 
you ? " Believe me, I could very easily let you 
alone if I had not a real and tender good will 
toward you, and if I did not know (what per- 
haps you do not) that you have need even of 
me. You want friends who understand vou 
well, and who dare tell you the whole, plain 
truth; and yet not in a surly, imperious manner, 
for then you could not receive it. I have en- 
deavored to do this once more. Will not you 
forgive me ? I cannot but think, if you do not 
thank you will at least excuse 

Your affectionate servant, 

To Miss . 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



2 9 



XXIV. 



"INVOLUNTARY DEFECTS DO NOT IMPLY DE- 



[No other theme interests Mr. Wesley's young corre- 
spondents so much as ** Christian perfection." Miss 
Hardy wants the subject outlined, and asks if there are 
living witnesses. She inquires about " defects." " Are 
they all love while they grieve the Holy Spirit ? "] 



EAR SISTER : The path of controversy 



7 is a rough path. But it seems smoother 
while I am walking with you, so that I could 
follow you through all its windings ; only my 
time will not permit. 

The plain fact is this : I know many who 
love God with all their heart, mind, soul, and 
strength. He is their one desire, their one 
delight, and they are continually happy in 
him. They love their neighbor as themselves. 
They feel as sincere, fervent, constant a de- 
sire for the happiness of every man, good or 
bad, friend or enemy, as for their own. They 
" rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and 
in everything give thanks/' Their souls are 
continually streaming up to God in holy joy, 
prayer, and praise. This is plain, sound, 



FECTS OF LOVE. 



December 26, 1 761. 




3° 



wesley's letters 



scriptural experience ; and of this we have 
more and more living witnesses. 

But these souls dwell in a shattered, cor- 
ruptible body, and are so pressed down thereby 
that they cannot exert their love as they 
would, by always thinking, speaking, and act- 
ing precisely right. For want of better bodily 
organs they sometimes inevitably think, speak, 
or act wrong. Yet I think they need the 
advocacy of Christ, even for these involun- 
tary defects, although they do not imply a de- 
fect of love, but of understanding. However 
that be, I cannot doubt the fact. They are 
all love; yet they cannot walk as they desire. 
"But are they all love while they grieve the 
Holy Spirit ? " No, surely; they are then fallen 
from their steadfastness; and this they may 
do even after they are sealed. So that even 
to such strong cautions are needful. After the 
heart is cleansed from pride, anger, and desire 
it may suffer them to reenter ; therefore I have 
long thought some expressions in the hymns 
are abundantly too strong, as I cannot per- 
ceive any state mentioned in Scripture from 
which we may not (in a measure, at least) 
fall. 

Persons who talked of being emptied before 
they were filled were, for some time, a great 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



31 



stumbling-block to me too; but I have since 
considered it thus : The great point in ques- 
tion is, Can we be saved from all sin, or not ? 
Now, it may please God to act in that uncom- 
mon manner purposely to clear this point ; to 
satisfy those persons that they are saved from 
all sin before he goes on in his work. 

Forgive me, dear Miss Hardy, that I do but 
just touch upon the heads of your letter. In- 
deed, this defect does not spring from the want 
of love, but only from want of time. I should 
not wonder if your soul was one of the next 
that was filled with pure love. Receive it 
freely, thou poor bruised reed ! It is able to 

make thee stand. 

To Miss Elizabeth Hardy, 

XXV. 

"ONE BRANCH OF CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY." 

[Nearly three years elapse between this and preceding 
letter. The theme is still perfection. If she ever en- 
joyed it she has now lost it. She is perplexed, and 
leans more to her understanding than to faith.] 

Bristol, September 29, 1764. 
pvEAR SISTER: In the "Thoughts upon 
Christian Perfection " you have a clear 
and consistent account of it. I have been 
grieved at the danger I saw you in of stopping 



32 



wesley's letters 



short of it. Certainly you may attain that 
blessing soon. And I am thoroughly per- 
suaded you did taste of it, though how you 
lost it I know not. 

It will be eternally true, "If thou canst be- 
lieve, all things are possible to him that be- 
lieved." Have this faith, and you have salva- 
tion. And this is the very thing you want. 
When this is joined with a strong understand- 
ing it is well; but it may exist with a very 

weak one. This is the case with Mrs. W , 

whose understanding is extremely weak ; and 
yet she has strong faith, and such as exceedingly 
profits me; though I take knowledge that the 
treasure is in an earthen vessel. I see all that is 
of nature; but this does not hinder my rejoicing 
in that which is of grace. This is one branch of 
Christian simplicity. While reason, assisted 
from above, enables me to discern the precious 
from the vile, I make my full use of the 
former without losing one moment in think- 
ing upon the latter. Perhaps reason enlight- 
ened makes me simple. If I knew less of 
human nature (forgive me for talking so much 
of myself) I should be more apt to stumble at 
the weaknesses of it; and if I have (by nature 
or by grace) some clearness of apprehension 
it is owing to this (under God), that I never 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



33 



staggered at all the reveries of George Bell. I 
saw instantly at the beginning, and from the 
beginning, what was right and what was wrong. 
But I saw withal, " I have many things to say 
unto you, but you cannot bear them now." 
Hence many imagined I was imposed upon, and 
applauded themselves for their greater perspicu- 
ity, as they do at this day. " But if you knew it," 
says his friend to George Lopez, " why did you 
not tell me ? " I answer with him, " I do not 
speak all I know, but all I judge needful/' 
Still I am persuaded there is no state under 
heaven from which it is not possible to fall. But 
I wish you were all love, and then you would 

not need take any thought for the morrow. 

To Miss Elizabeth Hardy. 

XXVI. 

"IN PEACE AND LOVE WAIT FOR THE WHOLE 

PROMISE." 

[This young woman asks for advice that will bring 
her more happiness in God and a better understanding 
of the word of God.] 

London, August 21, 1766. 

pvEAR MISS A : Your letters will al- 

ways be agreeable to me ; and the more 
largely and freely you write the better. I am 
deeply concerned for your happiness; and a 



34 



wesley's letters 



measure of happiness you may enjoy as long as 
you feel any love in your heart to God, though 
it be but in a small degree. Be thankful for 
what you have, and in peace and love wait 
for the whole promise. God has not only 
promised, but confirmed that promise by an 
oath, that, u being delivered from all your 
enemies, you shall serve him in righteousness 
and holiness all the days of your life." By 
what art can this be made to mean the last 
day or the last moment of your life ? Look 
for it now ! To-day hear his voice. Do not 
reason against God, against yourself. " Thou 
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart." " The mouth of the Lord hath spoken 
it." 

I advise you, i. Get all the opportunities 
you can of hearing the preaching and con- 
versing with the children of God. 2. Avoid 
disputing with your might. 3. Spend some 
time every day in private prayer, in meditation, 
and in reading the Notes on the New Testa- 
ment, the first volume of Sermons and the 
Appeals. 4. When you may be free, use it 
rather. Peace be with your spirit ! 

To Miss A . 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



35 



XXVII. 

"EVERY REASONABLE AFFECTION INTENDED TO 
LAST TO ETERNITY." 

London, January 15, 1767. 

pvEAR MISS A : Time changes thought, 

*- * especially in youth, and amid variety of 
company; so that it would be nothing strange 
if you should forget those for whom you once 
had a regard; but you need not. Every rea- 
sonable affection is intended to last to eternity. 
And the true affection for our friends is, as 
Milton says, 

" A scale 

Whereby to heavenly love thou mayest ascend." 

For the present you seem to be in your place, 
the place which the wisdom of God has as- 
signed you ; and the crosses you now meet 
with, as they are not of your own choosing, 
will surely work together for good. Your 
want of more public opportunities may, in a 
good measure, be supplied by private exer- 
cises. Let no day pass without more or less 
private prayer, reading, and meditation. And 
does not God see in secret? Does he not now 
read your heart and see if it pants for his pure 
4 



36 



Wesley's letters 



love ? If so, are not all things ready ? May 

you not now find what you never did before? 

Ask Him that loves you, whose nature and 

whose name is Love ! 
To Miss A . 

XXVIII. 

"WHAT IS BEST FOR ETERNITY?" 

[** What is best for eternity ?" She asks this question 
before deciding whether to remain single or to be mar- 
ried.] 

Londonderry, April 20, 1767. 
T^vEAR SISTER : Certainly the point we 
should always have in view is, What is 
best for eternity ? And I believe it would be 
best for you to change your condition if a 
proper person offers. But I should scruple 
doing this without a parent's consent. If your 
mother is willing I see no objection to your 
marrying one that fears God, and is seeking 
salvation through Christ. Such a one is not 
an unbeliever in the sense wherein that word 
is taken in 2 Cor. vi, 14. 

I love to think of you and hear from you. 
I want you to be always holy and happy. 
And why not? You have a strong Helper; 
and shall not his strength be made perfect in 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



37 



your weakness? Why then should you stop 

short of his whole promise ? " Thou shalt love 

the Lord thy God with all thy heart." Hold 

him to his word, and let not your hope be 

weakened by the subtile reasonings of men. 
To Miss A . 

XXIX. 

"SPEAK AS WELL AS YOU CAN FOR GOD." 

[Ought we to speak for God when we do not feel the 
power of the truths ourselves ? Many have asked this 
question besides Nancy A.] 

Newcastle, August 8, 1767. 
|~"\EAR SISTER : We have many instances 
of this. Persons cold and dull, and scarce 
knowing how to believe their own words, have 
asserted, as they could, the truths of the Gos- 
pel, and enforced them upon others, and at 
that very time God has caused light and love 
to spring up in their own hearts. Therefore, 
however you feel it in your own breast, speak 
as well as you can for God. Many times you 
will see some fruit upon others; if not, you 
shall have a recompense in your own bosom. 
In one sense you do believe that God is both 
able and willing to cleanse you from all un- 
righteousness, and to do it now ; but not in 



38 



wesley's letters 



that sense wherein all things are possible to 
him that believeth. But what if he should 
give you this faith also — yea, while you have 
this paper in your hand ! To-day hear his 
voice. O listen, and heaven springs up in 
your heart ! 
To Miss A . 

XXX. 

"THE SECRET OF HEART RELIGION." 

October 14, 1767. 
P\EAR SISTER: Grow in grace every hour, 
the more the better. Use now all the 
grace you have; this is certainly right; but 
also now expect all the grace you want. This 
is the secret of heart religion: at the present 
moment to work and to believe. Here is 
Christ your Lord, the lover of your soul. 
Give yourself up to him without delay and as 
you can, without reserve, and simply tell him 
all you desire and all you want. What situa- 
tion is it that hurries you ? Is it not deter- 
mined whether you shall change your condi- 
tion or no ? Be it either way, God sitteth on 

the throne and ruleth all things well. 
To Miss A . 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



39 



XXXI. 

TWO GOOD RULES. 

[The time for marriage draws near, and in answer to 
her request Mr. Wesley gives two rules which should 
prove of service in many other conditions of life.] 

Norwich, November 2, 1767. 

IWl Y DEAR SISTER: In the way of life 

* ; * you are entering upon you will have 

need of great resolution and steadiness. It 

will be your wisdom to set out with two rules, 

and invariably adhere to them : 1. " I will do 

everything I can to oblige you, except what I 

cannot do with a clear conscience/' 2. "I 

will refrain from everything I can that would 

displease you except what I cannot refrain 

from with a clear conscience." Keep to this 

on both sides from the hour you meet, and 

your meeting will be a blessing. You will do 

well likewise constantly to pray with as well as 

for one another. 

Now, Nancy, put on, by the grace of God, 

the armor of righteousness on the right hand 

and on the left. Beware of foolish desires ! 

Beware of inordinate affections ! Beware of 

worldly cares! But, above all, I think you 

should beware of wasting time in what is 

called innocent trifling. And watch against 

unprofitable conversation, particularly between 



40 



wesley's letters 



yourselves. Then your union may be (as it 

ought) a type of the union between Christ and 

his Church, and you may in the end present 

each other before him holy and unblamable at 

his coming. 
To Miss A . 



"DO YOU FIND NO DECAY IN FAITH ?" 

[Miss Pywell does not write often. She lives a spirit- 
ual life. The following letter was not answered for 
nearly nine months (January 17, 1772), but the reply is 
satisfactory, as you will note: 11 You ask if I find any 
decay in faith. I answer, No. I rather find that my 
faith is strengthened daily and hourly. My constant 
prayer is, 1 Lord, increase my faith,' and thereby enlarge 
my heart to love thee more and more. My hopes are 
more firm and lively than ever. I feel nothing contrary 
to pure love."] 



Y DEAR SISTER : I hardly knew 



■ " * whether you were dead or alive, having 
not heard from you for so long a season. 
Yesterday I received yours of March 28, and 
am glad to hear you are not moved from your 
steadfastness. Certainly it is not the will of 
our Lord that you should : his gifts are with- 
out repentance. Do you find no decay in 
faith ? Do you as clearly as ever see Him 
who is invisible ? Is your hope as lively as at 



XXXII. 



Kilkenny, April 23, 1771. 




TO YOUNG WOMEN 



41 



first ? Do you still taste of the powers of the 
world to come ? And can you say in as strong 
a sense as ever, 

" I nothing want beneath, above, 
Happy in a Saviour's love ? " 

Do you feel no anger at any time, no pride, 
no will but what is subordinate to the will of 
God, and have you the witness in yourself that 
your ways please him ? Then expect to see 
greater things than these, for there is no end 
of his goodness. 
To Miss PywelL 

XXXIII. 

" ARE YOU ALWAYS SENSIBLE OF THE 
PRESENCE OF GOD?" 

[Miss Pywell must have lived a beautiful life, if we 
may judge from her answers to Mr. Wesley. Read his let- 
ter, then read her reply, herewith given : " I am always 
sensible of the presence of God, which is never interrupted 
by company or hurry of business. I never fret at any- 
thing so as to interrupt my happiness. Sometimes I 
find lowness of spirits, which I think came first upon me 
by grief, occasioned by a brother and a sister leaving 
the good ways of God."] 

London, January 22, 1772. 
Y DEAR SISTER : You have given me 
' * * clear and satisfactory answers to the ques- 
tions which I proposed, and I rejoice over you 



42 



Wesley's letters 



for the grace of God which is in you. May 
he increase it more and more ! How should 
I rejoice to see you, and to talk with you more 
particularly on these subjects ! I hope that 
may be in the spring ; but before then you 
can tell me whether you are always sensible 
of the presence of God ! Is that sense never 
interrupted by company or by hurry of busi- 
ness ? Is your heart lifted up to God, what- 
ever your hands are employed in? Do you 
rejoice evermore ? Are you always happy ? 
always more or less enjoying God ? Do you 
never fret, never so grieve at anything as to 
interrupt your happiness ? Do you never find 
lowness of spirits ? Are you enabled in every- 
thing to give thanks ? 
To Miss Pywell. 

XXXIV. 

ON PAST TRIALS. 

London, December 29, 1774. 

MY DEAR SISTER: I am glad you 
parted from our honest friend C — ne 
upon so good terms. All the trials you suf- 
fered while you were there are now passed 
away like a dream. So are all the afflictions 
we endured yesterday ; but they are noted in 
God's book, and the happy fruit of them may 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



43 



remain when heaven and earth are passed 
away. Trials you are likewise to expect where 
you are now ; for you are still in the body, 
and wrestle, if not with flesh and blood, yet 
with "principalities, and powers, with the 
rulers of the darkness of this world, with 
wicked spirits in high places ; " and it is good 
for you that every grain of your faith should 
be tried ; afterward you shall come forth as 
gold. See that you never be weary or faint in 
your mind ; account all these things for your 
profit, that you may be a full partaker of his 
holiness, and 

Brighter in all his image shine. 
To Miss PywelL 

XXXV. 

" BE ALL HIS, AND ADMIT NO RIVAL INTO YOUR 

HEART." 

[The correspondence with Miss Jane Hilton continued 
for twenty years. Mr. Wesley was a frequent visitor at 
her father's house, preaching in Mr. Hilton's yard, near 
the great street in Beverley. In 1773 we find letters ad- 
dressed to the young lady as li Mrs. Jane Barton." 
Only letters written before the marriage are given be- 
low.] 

York, July 22, 1766. 
JW1Y DEAR SISTER: See that you stand 
* fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath 
made you free. You need never more be en- 



44 



wesley's letters 



tangled either with pride or anger or desire 

of any creature. Christ is yours ; all is yours. 

O be all his, and admit no rival into your 

heart! But, above all, beware of unbelief. 

Beware of the reasoning devil. In every 

cloud or shadow of doubt look up, and help, 

while yet you ask, is given. All you want 

is ready ! Only believe ! 
To Miss ya?ie Hilton. 

XXXVI. 

"SEE THAT YOU DO NOT FALL INTO EVIL 

REASONINGS." 

[Note in the following letters the questions leading to 
salvation. She lost her peace once through evil reason- 
ings. He kindly points the error and opens the way of 
escape.] 

York, June 25, 1768. 
1UIY DEAR SISTER: Your conversation 
' " gave me much satisfaction. I rejoiced 
to find that you were sensible of your loss, 
and determined, by the grace to God, never 
to rest till you had recovered all which you 
once enjoyed. Xay, and you will recover it 
with increase ; you will find a deeper com- 
munion with God and a more full self-devo- 
tion than ever. An earnest of this was given 
you the other day. Hold that fast, and con- 
tinually expect the rest. How did you find 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



45 



yourself on Thursday morning? Had you 
not again a taste of the great salvation ? And 
how have you been since ? Are you still 
happy in God, and resolved not to rest till you 
are all devoted to him ? See that you do not 
fall again into evil reasonings ! Be simple be- 
fore God. Continue instant in prayer, and 
watch against whatever you know, by ex- 
perience, to be a weight upon your mind. 
How soon may you then have your whole de- 
sire ! How soon may your heart be all love ! 
Why not now ? All things are ready ; only 
believe ! 

To Miss yane Hilton. 

XXXVII. 

"LEAN YOUR WHOLE SOUL UPON HIM." 

Guiseley, July i, 1768. 
JWl Y DEAR SISTER : You must now ex- 
* * ^ pect temptations. Perhaps they will as- 
sault you on every side ; for all the powers 
of hell are enraged at you, and will use every 
art to move you from your steadfastness. But 
He that is for you is greater than all that are 
against you ; only beware of evil reasoning ! 
Hang simply on him that loves you, and whom 
you love, just as a little helpless child. Christ 
is yours, all yours ; that is enough. Lean 



46 Wesley's letters 

your whole soul upon him ! Do you find a 
witness in vourself that he has cleansed vour 
heart ? Do you feel this always ? And have 
you a constant sense of the loving presence of 
God ? You never need lose anything that 
God has given, so you keep close to him. Be 
little and mean in your own eyes, glorying only 
in the Lord. 

To Miss Jane Hilton. 

XXXVIII. 

"THERE IS NO END OF HIS GOODNESS." 

EPWORTH, July 13, 1763. 

MY DEAR SISTER: Coming here this 
afternoon I found your welcome letter ; 
I would have you write as often as you can. 
for you have need of every possible help, 
inasmuch as your grace is as yet young and 
tender and all the powers of darkness are at 
work to move you from your steadfastness. 
But it is enough that Christ is yours, and he 
is wiser and stronger than all the powers of 
hell. Hang upon him, and you are safe; lean 
on him with the whole weight of your soul. 
Do you find now as clear an evidence of the 
invisible as of the visible world ? And are 
your thoughts continually fixed on the God 
of your salvation ? Do you pray without 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



47 



ceasing ? Does he preserve you even in your 
dreams? Hold fast what you have, and look 

for more; for there is no end of his goodness. 

To Miss Jane Hilton. 

XXXIX. 

" I AM NOT SORRY THAT YOU HAVE TRIALS." 

Bristol, August 20, 1768. 
/Wl Y DEAR SISTER: I write often because 
* ' * I know you are yet weak and tender and 
in need of every help. I am not sorry that you 
have trials; they are intended to show you your 
own helplessness and to give you a fuller con- 
fidence in Him who has all power in heaven 
and earth. You have reason to cast all your 
care upon him, for he has dealt bountifully 
with you. When any trial comes see that you 
do not look to the thing itself, but immediately 
look unto Jesus. Reason not upon it, but 
believe. See the hand of God in Shimei's 
tongue. If you want advice on any point 
write to me without delay. And, meantime, 
stay your whole soul upon Him who will never 
leave you nor forsake you. Tell him simply 
all you fear, all you feel, all you want. Pour 
out your soul into his bosom. Do you feel no 
pride, no anger, no desire ? You will feel 
temptations to all, and the old deceiver will 



48 



wesley's letters 



tell you again and again, "That is pride, that 
is anger! " But regard him not. And cast not 
away your confidence, which hath great recom- 
pense of reward. 
To Miss Jane Hilton. 

XL. 

" IS THE PERSON A BELIEVER ? " 

[In this and the following letter we have Mr. Wesley's 
searching questions concerning Miss Hilton's lover. He 
spoke not until advice was asked. He is practical in his 
inquiry, 4 ' Is he able to keep you ? "] 

Bristol, Septe?nber 30, 1768. 
V/'OU, as it were, ask my advice. But I know 
* nothing of the matter; you should have 
spoken to me when I saw you. Is the person 
a believer ? Is he a Methodist ? Is he a mem- 
ber of our society ? Is he clear with regard to 
the doctrine of perfection ? Is he athirst for it ? 
If he fails in any of these particulars I fear he 
would be a hindrance to you rather than a 
help. Was not inordinate affection for him one 
cause of your losing the pure love of God before? 
If it was you have a great reason to be afraid 
lest it should again rob you of that pearl. Has 
it not already ? Have you all the life you had 
two months ago ? Is your soul still all love ? 

To Miss Jane Hilton. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



49 



XLI. 

" IS HE ABLE TO KEEP YOU ? " 

Bristol, October 8, 1768. 
IWIY DEAR SISTER: You need never be 

* ' * afraid " of wearying my patience," unless 
it be by your silence. There is no danger of 
your writing too often. I can easily believe the 
description you give is just; therefore there 
are only two particulars remaining: First, Have 
you both the consent of your parents ? Without 
this there is seldom a blessing. Secondly, Is 
he able to keep you ? I mean, in such a manner 
as you have lived hitherto. Otherwise, remem- 
ber ! " When poverty comes in at the door love 
flies out at the window." 

Do you find as much as ever of the spirit of 
prayer and of continual watchfulness ? Are you 
always sensible of the presence of God ? in the 
greatest hurry of business ? Have you power 
over wandering thoughts ? 

To Miss Jane Hilton. 

XLII. 

"THE SECOND DELIVERANCE." 

London, March 1, 1769, 
IWIY DEAR SISTER: I rejoice that I have 

* ' ^confidence in you in all things. I believe 
you do not willingly lose any opportunity of 



50 * wesley's letters 



speaking for a good Master. I apprehend you 
should particularly encourage the believers to 
give up all to God, and to expect the power 
whereby they will be enabled so to do, every 
day, and every moment. I hope none of your 
preachers speak against this, but rather press 
all the people forward. 

Do you now feel anything like anger, or pride, 
or self-will, or any remains of the carnal mind ? 
Was your second deliverance wrought while I 
was at Beverley ? at the time of the sermon, or 
after it ? You did not tell me in what manner 
you found the change, and whether it has con- 
tinued without any intermission from that mo- 
ment. Certainly there never need be any decay. 
There never will, if you continue watching unto 
prayer. 

To Miss yane Hilton, 

XLIII. 

" the danger of whiling away time." 

Lisburn, April 9, 1769. 

MY DEAR SISTER: I thank Brother Bar- 
ton for his letter. Both of you have now 
more need than ever continually to watch and 
pray, that you enter not into temptation. There 
will be a great danger of so cleaving to each 
other as to forget God, or of being so taken 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



S 1 



up with a creature as to abate your hunger and 
thirst after righteousness. There will be a dan- 
ger likewise of whiling away time, of not im- 
proving it to the uttermost ; of spending more 
of it than needs, in good sort of talk with each 
other, which yet does not quicken your souls. 
If you should once get into a habit of this it 
will be exceeding hard to break it off. There- 
fore you should now attend to every step you 
take, that you may begin as you hope to hold 
on to the end. And beware you are not en- 
tangled with worldly care, any more than 
worldly desire. Be careful for nothing, but 
in everything make your request known to God, 
with thanksgiving. 
To Miss yane Hilton. 

XLIV. 

" A DEEPER FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER." 

Bristol, September 9, 1769. 
JUI Y DEAR SISTER: Now I understand 
* * * you well, but I did not understand you 
before ; I thought you meant that you had not 
now the love that you had once. I am glad to 
find that I was mistaken and that you still re- 
tain that precious gift of God. Undoubtedly 
you may retain it always ; yea, and with a con- 
tinual increase. You may have a deeper and 
5 



52 



wesley's letters 



deeper fellowship with the Father and with his 

Son Jesus Christ. You may have more and 

more of the mind which was in him and be 

more fully renewed in his likeness. You should 

send me word, from time to time, what your 

present experience and your present trials are. 

Peace be with your spirits ! 
To Miss Jane Hilton. 

XLV. 

"CONTINUE LIKEWISE TO BE USEFUL IN YOUR 

GENERATION." 

["Useful in your generation !" With what force do the 
words of this letter come to young women in this day !] 

Norwich, November i, 1769. 

JVAY DEAR SISTER: Have you been tried 

* * *• with bodily weakness or with outward 

afflictions? If with the latter, have you found 

a deliverance from them ? It is certain, in 

every temptation He will make a way to 

escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

When you are tempted it is an unspeakable 

blessing that there is nothing in your heart 

which joins with the temptation. And there 

never need be more ; the enemy is thrust out, 

and cannot reenter if you continue to watch 

and pray. Continue likewise to be useful in 

your generation. As you have time do good 

to all men. Snatch all the opportunities you 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



S3 



can of speaking a word to any of your neigh- 
bors. Comfort the afflicted, support the weak, 
exhort the believers to go on unto perfection. 
Never be weary in welldoing. In due time 

you shall reap if you faint not. 
To Miss Jane Hilton. 

XLVI. 
NEW DANGERS. 

London, December 24, 1769. 
IWIY DEAR SISTER: Some of the trials 
* ^ *■ which you must frequently have are of a 
delicate nature. You will need much of the 
wisdom from above, or you would suffer loss 
under them. Those who are very near to you 
were (and probably are still) prejudiced against 
William Fallowfield beyond all sense and rea- 
son. And how extremely difficult it is for you 
not to drink in a little of their spirit ! Only 
what is ill-will in them may in you be a simple 
error of judgment. Yet there is danger lest 
it should weaken your soul and insensibly lead 
you to some wrong temper. 

I believe you may speak without reserve to 
Brother Howard. He is a cool, thinking man. 
But does he preach Christian perfection clearly 
and explicitly ? Which of your other preach- 
ers does ? 

To Miss yane Hilton. 



54 



wesley's letters 



XLVII. 

TWO THINGS ABOUT THE PURE LOVE OF GOD. 

[This letter shows the value of Mr. Wesley's corre- 
spondence. Questions come in the sphere of the higher 
Christian life that receive such practical, unmystified 
answers that the young believer may take heart and 
" go forward."] 

May 8, 1770. 

7WI Y DEAR SISTER : Two things are cer- 
* * * tain : the one, that it is possible to lose 
even the pure love of God ; the other, that it 
is not necessary, it is not unavoidable ; it may 
be lost, but it may be kept. Accordingly, we 
have some in every part of the kingdom who 
have never been moved from their steadfast- 
ness. And from this moment you need never 
be moved ; His grace is sufficient for you. 
But you must continue to grow if you continue 
to stand, for no one can stand still. And is it 
not your Lord's will concerning you that you 
should daily receive a fresh increase of love ? 
And see that you labor so much the more to 
comfort the feeble-minded, to support the 
weak, to confirm the wavering and recover 

them that are out of the way. 
To Miss Jane Hilton. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



55 



XLVIII. 

PRAYING FOR TEMPORAL THINGS. 

[Here we see "growth" in Mr. Wesley — learning to 
pray for temporal things,] 

Norwich, Nove?nber 5, 1770. 

MY DEAR SISTER: For many years I 
had a kind of scruple with regard to 
praying for temporal things, but three or four 
years ago I was thoroughly persuaded that 
scruple was unnecessary. Being then strait- 
ened much, I made it a matter of prayer, and 
I had an immediate answer. It is true, we 
can only ask outward blessings with reserve : 
"If this is best; if it be thy will." And 
in this manner we may certainly plead the 
promise, " All these things shall be added 
unto you." 

I hope the little debates which were some 
time since in the society at Beverley are at an 
end, and that you all now continue in love, 
and bear one another's burdens. You had for 
a long time a hard part to act between the 
contending parties ; but as God preserved you 
from anger and from a party spirit you suf- 
fered no loss thereby. Beware of suffering 
loss from another quarter — from worldly care. 



56 



wesley's letters 



This is a dangerous enemy. You had need 

steadily to cast your care on Him that careth 

for you. 

To Miss jfane Hilton. 

XLIX. 

" A LITTLE THING TO TRUST GOD AS FAR AS WE 

CAN SEE HIM." 

December 18, 1772. 

MY DEAR SISTER: It is a little thing 
to trust God as far as we can see him, so 
far as the way lies open before us; but to trust 
in him when we are hedged in on every side 
and can see no way to escape, this is good and 
acceptable with God. This is the faith of 
Abraham our father, and, by the grace of God, 

this is your faith. 
To Miss yane Hilton. 

L. 

A MEANS OF HOLINESS. 

[Most of Mr. Wesley's letters to Miss Bosanquet 
were concerning " temporal " affairs. We select two 
that touch the spiritual life. This notable woman, 
afterward Mrs. John Fletcher, was born in 1739, mem- 
orable as the year in which Methodism was cradled. 
Her father was one of the chief merchants of London. 
By means of a Methodist servant she found peace with 
God when she was only eight years old. At the age 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



57 



of twenty-one she came into possession of a " small 
fortune," and for the comfort of herself and family, 
owing to religious differences, she rented rooms in H ox- 
ton Square. Her life is memorable for work and holi- 
ness of character. We urge our readers to make her 
fuller acquaintance.] 

London August 16, 1767. 

MY DEAR SISTER: So the Lord has 
chastened and corrected you, but he hath 
not given you over unto death. It is your part 
to stand ready continually for whatever he shall 
call you to. Everything is a blessing, a means 
of holiness, as long as you can clearly say, 
6i Lord, do with me and mine what thou wilt, 
and when thou wilt, and how thou wilt." 

Undoubtedly she was (so was I) in the third 
stage of a consumption. And physicians have 
long since agreed that this is not curable by 
any natural means. But what signifies this in 
the sight of God ? As, 

When obedient Nature knows His will, 
A fly, a grapestone, or a hair can kill ; 

so, when it is his will to restore life or strength, 
any means shall be effectual ; but we are slow 
of heart to believe that he is still the uncon- 
trolled Almighty Lord of hell and earth and 
heaven. 

To Miss Bosanquet. 



58 



wesley's letters 



LI. 

"IT CONCERNS US TO FOLLOW OUR OWN LIGHT." 

London, January 15, 1770. 

IV/I Y DEAR SISTER: It is not strange if 

* the leading of one soul be very different 

from that of another. The same Spirit work- 

eth in everyone, and yet worketh several ways, 

according to his own will. It concerns us to 

follow our own light, seeing we are not to be 

judged by another's conscience. 
To Miss Bosanqnet. 

tit 

u DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SIN AND TEMPTATION." 

[Two letters to Miss Briggs are worthy of preservation. 
The following picture from Mr. Wesley's pen lets us see 
our young friend: "On this day (May 7, 1785) that 
venerable saint, Mr. Perronet, desires his granddaughter, 
Miss Briggs, who attended him day and night, to go out 
into the garden and take a little air. He was reading 
and hearing her read the last three chapters of Isaiah. 
When she returned he was in a kind of ecstasy, the tears 
running down his cheeks, from a deep sense of the glorious 
things which were shortly to come to pass. He con- 
tinued unspeakably happy that day, and on Sunday was, 
if possible, happier still. . . . When he was in bed she 
went into his room to see if anything was wanting ; 
and as she stood at the foot of the bed he smiled and 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



59 



broke out, ' God bless thee, my dear child, and all that 
belong to thee ! Yea, he will bless thee ! ' Which he 
earnestly repeated many times, till she left the room. 
When she went in the next morning, Monday, May 9, 
his spirit was returned to God ! "] 

Athlone, April 14, 1771. 
JWl Y DEAR BETSY : You may be assured 
* ' * .* that I am always pleased to hear from 
you, and that 1 shall never think your letters 
too long. Always tell me what is in your 
heart. Otherwise it would hardly be possible 
to give you the advice you may want from 
time to time. As soon as you had your 
armor on it was fit that it should be 
proved ; so God prepared for you the occasions 
of fighting, that you might conquer and might 
know both your own weakness and his strength. 
Each day will bring just temptation enough, 
and power enough to conquer it ; and, as one 
says, " temptations, with distinct deliverances 
from them, avail much/' The unction of the 
Holy One is given to believers for this very 
end, to enable them to distinguish (which 
otherwise would be impossible) between sin 
and temptation. And this you will do, not by 
any general rule, but by listening to him on 
all particular occasions, and by your consult- 
ing with those that have experience in the 



6o 



Wesley's letters 



ways of God. Undoubtedly both you and 

Philothea and my dear Miss Perronet are 

now more particularly called to speak for God. 

In so doing you must expect to meet with 

many things which are not pleasing to flesh 

and blood. But all is well. So much the 

more will you be conformed to the death of 

Christ. Go on in his name, and in the 

power of his might. Suffer and conquer all 

things. 

To Miss Elizabeth Briggs. 

LIII. 

"A BABE IX THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST." 

Castlebar, May 31, 1771. 

MY DEAR BETSY: You judge exceed- 
ing right ; as yet you are but a little 
child, just a babe in the pure love of Christ. 
As a little child hang upon him, and simply 
expect a supply of all your wants. In this re- 
spect reasoning profits you nothing ; indeed, 
it is just opposite to believing, whereby you 
hearken to the inward voice, which says, 
" Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." 
Undoubtedly it would be a cross to declare 
what God has done for your soul; nay, and 
afterward Satan would accuse you on the ac- 
count, telling you, " You did it out of pride." 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



6l 



Yea, and some of your sisters would blame 

you, and perhaps put the same construction 

upon it. Nevertheless, if you do it with a 

single eye it will be well pleasing to God. 
To Miss Elizabeth Briggs. 

LIV. 

" YOU ARE NOT CALLED TO DESIRE SUFFERING." 

[The most we know of Miss Nancy Bolton is found 
in the following letters. The lesson of suffering is 
clearly given. The advices of Letter LVI are given to 
almost every young correspondent. We note Wesley's 
poetical letter, LVII, on "Thy Race of Duty Run," 
that holds a statement of Methodist belief.] 

Bandon, May 2, 1 771. 

MY DEAR SISTER : I wanted much to 
know how your soul prospered. I could 
not doubt but the god of this world, the 
enemy of all righteousness, would use every 
means to move you from your steadfastness. 
Blessed be God, you are not moved ! that all 
his labor has been in vain ! Hitherto hath 
God helped you; and, fear not, he will help 
you to the end. He gives you health as a 
token for good ; he can trust you with it, 
while you give him your heart. And O, stand 
fast in the glorious liberty wherewith he has 
made you free ! You are not called to desire 



62 



wesley's letters 



suffering. Innocent nature is averse from 
pain; only, as soon as his will appears, yours 
to sink down before it ! Hark! what does he 
say to you now? " Lovest thou me more 
than these ?" — more than these: 

Wealth, honor, pleasure, or what else 
This short-enduring world can give? 

Then " feed my lambs; " carry the little ones 
in thy bossom. 

To Miss Nancy Bolton. 

LV. 

"HE HEARS THE CRY OF YOUR HEART." 

London, Junei$, 1771. 

MY DEAR SISTER : A letter from you is 
always welcome, but never more so than 
now, as this is the time wherein it seems 
good to our Lord to try you as by fire. Fear 
nothing ; only believe. He is with you 
in the fire, so that the flames shall not 
kindle upon you. O how you will praise him 
by and by for his wise and gracious visitation! 
He is purging away all your dross, that you 
may be a vessel meet for the Master's use. 
Happy are they that do his will, and happier 
still they that suffer it. But, whatever you 
suffer, cast not away that confidence which 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



63 



hath great recompense of reward. In order 
to keep it, do not reason, but simply look up 
to Him that loves you. Tell him, as a little 
child, all your wants. Look up, and your suit 

is made ; he hears the cry of your heart. 

To Miss Nancy Bolton. 

LVI. 

" NEVER LET SLIP ANY BLESSING." 

Lynn, November 7, 1771. 
ft/1 Y DEAR SISTER: At length I have 
* ^ snatched an hour to repeat to you in 
writing the advices which I gave you before: 
1. Keep that safe which God has given you : 
never let slip any blessing which you have 
received. Regard none who tell you, " You 
must lose it." No; you never need lose one 
degree of love. 2. You never will, provided 
you are a careful steward of the manifold gifts 
of God. To him that hath, that is, useth what 
he hath, it shall be given still, and that more 
abundantly. Therefore, 3. Use your every 
grace. Stir up the gift of God that is in you. 
Be zealous ! Be active ! Spare no one. 
Speak for God wherever you are. But, mean- 
time, 4. Be humble; let all that mind be in 
you which was in Christ Jesus. And be 
clothed with humility. Pray that you may 



64 



wesley's letters 



always feel that you are nothing, less than 
nothing, and vanity. In this spirit speak and 
do everything, giving all the glory to Him that 
lives and rules in your heart by faith. 

To Miss Nancy Bolton. 

LVII. 

"THY RACE OF DUTY RUN." 

London, July 18, 1773. 
IWIY DEAR SISTER: Your late conver- 
* " * sation was exceeding pleasant to me. I 
had sometimes been almost inclined to think 
that your affection was lessened, but I now 
believe it is not. I trust your love is not 
grown cold. This gave me much satisfaction, 
though I could not but be concerned at see- 
ing you so encumbered with worldly business. 
Surely it will not be so always. But God's 
time is best ! Two or three of those little 
things I have sent you: 

With peaceful mind thy race of duty run : 
God nothing does, or suffers to be done, 
But what thou wouldst thyself, if thou could st see 
Through all events of things as well as he. 

Let thy presence be without delay : 
If thou defer it to another day, 
Thou must repent for a day more of sin, 
While a day less remains to do it in. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 65 

Nor steel nor flint alone produces fire, 
Nor spark arises till they both conspire : 
Nor faith alone, nor works without, is right ; 
Salvation rises when they both unite. 

If gold be offeerd thee, thou dost not say, 
" To-morrow I will take it, not to-day ; " 
Salvation offered why art thou so cool 
To let thyself become to-morrow's fool ? 

Prayer and thanksgiving is the vital breath 
That keeps the spirit of a man from death : 
For prayer attracts into the living soul 
The life that fiJls the universal whole ; 
And giving thanks is breathing forth again 
The praise of Him who is the life of men. 

Two different painters, artists in their way, 
Have drawn Religion in her full display. 
To both she sat : one gazed at her all o'er ; 
The other fixed upon her features more. 
Hervey has figured her with every grace 
That dress could give ; but Law has hit her face. 

The specious sermons of a learned man 
Are little else than flashes in the pan. 
The mere haranguing upon what they call 
Morality, is powder without ball : 
But he who preaches with a Christian grace 
Fires at your vices, and the shot takes place. 

Faith, Hope, and Love were questioned what they 
thought 

Of future glory, which Religion taught. 



66 



wesley's letters 



Now Faith believed it firmly to be true, 
And Hope expected so to find it too ; 
Love answered, smiling with a conscious glow, 
"Believe ! expect ! I know it to be so." 

Go on in this humble, gentle love, that you 
may abound therein more and more. Aim at 
nothing higher than this; and may the God 
of love still possess you whole, and guide your 
every thought and word and work! 

To Miss Nancy Bolton. 

LVIII. 

A GREAT STEP TOWARD CHRISTIAN RESIGNA- 
TION. 

London, January 2, 1781. 
1WIY DEAR SISTER: It is a great step 
' * * toward Christian resignation to be thor- 
oughly convinced of that great truth that 
there is no such thing as chance in the world ; 
that fortune is only another name for provi- 
dence ; only it is covered providence. An 
event, the cause of which does not appear, we 
commonly say, comes by chance. O no ; it 
is guided by an unerring hand ; it is the result 
of infinite wisdom and goodness. Such are 
all the afflictive circumstances that have fol- 
lowed you in a constant succession almost 
from your childhood. He that made the 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



6 7 



Captain of your salvation perfect through suf- 
ferings has called you to walk in the same path, 
and for the same end, namely, that you may 
learn obedience, more full, inward obedience, 
a more perfect conformity to his death, by the 
things that you suffer. A little while, and 
" He will wipe all tears irom your eyes ; and 
there shall be no more sorrow or crying ; nei- 
ther shall there be any more pain ! " but you 
shall hear the great voice out of heaven, saying, 
" The tabernacle of God is with men ; and God 

himself shall be with them, and be their God! " 

To Miss Nancy Bolton, 

LIX. 

" SATAN MIMICKED THE WORKS OF GOD." 

[One of the most important letters in the series. 
" Guard all, especially young persons, from laying stress 
upon anything but the written word of God." Do you 
take the hint about making a "little excursion" to 
strengthen faith?] 

Bristol, August 31, 1784. 

IWIY DEAR SISTER: Many years ago 

* ' * Mr. Hall, then strong in faith, believed 

God called him to marry my youngest sister. 

He told her so. She fully believed him, and 

none could convince one or the other to the 

contrary. I talked with her about it ; but 

she had 4< so often made it matter of prayer 
6 



68 



wesley's letters 



that she could not be deceived." In a week 
he dropped her, courted her eldest sister, and 
as soon as was convenient married her. The 
disappointed one then found exactly the same 
temptations that you do now. But neither 
did she keep the devil's counsel. She told 
me all that was in her heart, and the conse- 
quence was that, by the grace of God, she 
gained a complete victory. So will you ; and 
you will be the better enabled by your own 
experience to guard all, especially young per- 
sons, from laying stress upon anything but the 
written word of God. Guard them against 
reasoning in that dangerous manner, " If I was 
deceived in this, then I was deceived in think- 
ing myself justified." Not at all, although 
nature, or Satan in the latter case, admirably 
well mimicked the works of God. By mighty 
prayer repel all those suggestions, and after- 
ward your faith will be so much the more 
strengthened, and you will be more than con- 
queror through Him that loveth you. Whenever 
you find yourself pressed above measure you 
must make another little excursion. While 
you help others God will help you. This may 
be one end of this uncommon dispensation. 
You must not bury your talent in the earth. 
To Miss Nancy Bolton. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



6 9 



LX. 

"A DANGEROUS WAY OF THINKING." 

Wednesbury, March 28, 1785. 
IWIY DEAR SISTER: You are in danger 
* " * of falling into both extremes — of making 
light of, as well as fainting under, His chasten- 
ing. This you do whenever you look at any cir- 
cumstance without seeing the hand of God in 
it ; without seeing at the same instant this 
unkindness, this reproach, this returning evil 
for good, as well as this faintness, this weari- 
ness, this pain, is the cup which my Father 
hath given me. And shall I not drink it ? 
Why does he give it me ? Only for my profit 
that I " may be a partaker of his holiness. " 

I have often found an aptness both in my- 
self and others to connect events that have 
no real relation to each other. So one says, 
" I am as sure this is the will of God as that I 
am justified. " Another says, "God as surely 
spake this to my heart as ever he spoke to me 
at all." This is an exceedingly dangerous way 
of thinking or speaking. We know not what 
it may lead us to. It may sap the very foun- 
dation of our religion. It may insensibly draw 
us into deism or atheism. My dear Nancy, my 



7o 



wesley's letters 



sister, my friend, beware of this ! The grace 
of God is sufficient for you! And whatever 
clouds may interpose between, his banner over 
you is love. Look to yourself that you lose not 
the things that you have gained, but that you 
may receive a full reward. 

To Miss Nancy Bolton, 

LXI. 

"THE BRIGHTEST CROWN WILL BE GIVEN TO 

THE SUFFERERS." 

London, January 9, 1789. 
JVAY DEAR SISTER: "Sir, you are 
* * » troubled," said Mr. Law to me, "because 
you do not understand how God is dealing 
with you. Perhaps if you did it would not so 
well answer his design. He is teaching you to 
trust him farther than you can see him." He 
is now teaching you the same lesson. Hitherto 
you cannot understand his ways. But they 
are all mercy and truth. And though you do 
not know now what he does you shall know 
hereafter. 

I am acquainted with several persons whom 
I believed to be saved from sin. But there is 
great variety in the manner wherein God is 
pleased to lead them. Some of them are called 
to act much for God, some to rejoice much, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



71 



some to suffer much. All of these shall receive 

their crown. But when the Son of man shall 

come in his glory the brightest crown will be 

given to the sufferers. Look up, thou blessed 

one ! the time is at hand ! 
To Miss Nancy Bolton, 

LXII. 

"ONLY UNBELIEF KEEPS OUT THE MIGHTY 

BLESSING." 

[In Wesley's Journal, April 22, 1778, we read his only 
mention of Miss Stokes. " I went on to Clonmell, where 
our room being small, and the weather unfavorable for 
preaching abroad, we procured the largest room in the 
town, which was in the Quakers' workhouse. I had 
hardly sat down when a young man came and said, 4 My 
father and mother send their kind respects, and would be 
glad of thy company this evening.' His mother (now 
Mrs. Dudley) was my old acquaintance Molly Stokes. I 
went at four, and spent an hour very agreeably. But 
much company coming in Mr. Dudley desired I would 
* call again in the morning. I then told him what his wife 
was reported to say of me. He answered me, it was an 
utter mistake ; that she had never spoke a disrespectful 
word concerning me."] 

Chester, March 17, 1771. 
pvEAR MISS STOKES: I almost wonder, 
Have I found another Jenny Cooper ? I 
take knowledge of her spirit in you. I doubt 
not God has begun a good work in your heart. 



7 2 



Wesley's letters 



He has given you a taste of the powers of the 
world to come. He has delivered you from 
the vain expectation of finding happiness in the 
things of earth, and I trust you will be entan- 
gled no more in that snare. You know where 
true joys are to be found. Now stand fast in 
that beginning of liberty wherewith Christ has 
made you free. Yet do not stand still. This 
is only the dawn of day; the Sun of righteous- 
ness will rise upon you in quite another man- 
ner than you have hitherto experienced. And 
who knows how soon? Is he not near? Are 
not all things now ready ? What hinders you 
from receiving him now ? u If thou canst 
believe." Here is all the bar ; only unbelief 
keeps out the mighty blessing ! How many 
things have you been enabled to overcome, 
since I saw you in the great garden ? But do 
not leave my poor Molly Jones behind ; not 
that you can stay for her; but bring her on 
with you. I have much hopes that nothing 
will stop Sally James or Miss Flower. O bear 
one another's burdens ! Then shall you be, not 
almost, but altogether, Christians ! 
To Miss Mary Stokes, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



73 



LXIII. 

" STEER THE MIDDLE WAY.' 

[Mr. Wesley, never given to flattery, gives a word of 
praise and many words of encouragement] 

Dublin, April 4, 1771. 

MY DEAR MISS STOKES : There is 3, 
sweetness and friendliness in your spirit 
which is exceeding agreeable to me. And you 
have an openness withal which makes it the 
more pleasing. Let nothing rob you of this, 
although you cannot retain it without a good 
deal of resolution ; for the example of all the 
world is against you, even of the religious 
world, which is full of closeness and reserve, 
if not of disguise also. How will you do then 
to retain that artless simplicity which almost 
everyone disclaims ? Nay, this is not all ; you 
must likewise expect to be yourself deceived, 
more or less. You will believe persons to be 
sincere who will abuse your confidence ; who 
will say much and mean nothing. But let not 
my dear maid copy after them ; let them have 
all the artifice to themselves. Still, let not mercy 
or truth forsake you, but write them upon the 
table of your heart. Only know to whom you 
speak, and then you cannot be too free. I pray, 
never be afraid of writing too large letters ; yoi; 



74 



weslev's letters 



must not measure yours by mine, for I have a 
little more business than you. 

Your weakness and tenderness of constitu- 
tion, without great care, may prove a snare to 
you. Some allowance must be made on that 
account, but the danger is of making too much. 
Steer the middle way. So far as you are able 
rejoice to endure hardship as a good soldier 
of Jesus Christ, and deny yourself every 
pleasure which you are not divinely conscious 
prepares you for taking pleasure in God. I am 
glad you can converse freely with Sally Flower. 
Surely she and you together might overrule 
Molly Jones's Irish reason for not meeting, " I 

said I would not." 
To Miss Mary Stokes. 

LXIV. 

"CHILDLIKE BOLDNESS OF FAITH PECULIARLY 

N EC ESS A R Y." 

[Letters LXIV and LXVI are answers to a diffident 
young woman, prompting her to speak for Jesus. He has 
no faith in a " silent meeting." She seemed to be getting 
under the influence of the Quakers. In fact, she after- 
ward married a Quaker.] 

JVAY DEAR SISTER: In order to speak 
■ " for God you must not confer with flesh 
and blood, or you will never begin. You should 
vehement!} resist the reasoning devil, who will 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



75 



never want arguments for your silence. Indeed, 
naturally all the passions justify themselves; so 
do fear and shame in particular. In this case, 
therefore, the simple, childlike boldness of 
faith is peculiarly necessary. And when you 
have broke through and made the beginning, 
then prudence has its office ; that is, Christian 
(not worldly) prudence, springing from the 
unction of the Holy One, and teaching you 
how far and in what manner to speak, accord- 
ing to a thousand various circumstances. 

You do not yet see the day dawn with regard 
to those who are near and dear to you ; but 
you must not hence infer that it never will. 
The prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips 
will not fall to the ground ; but " though it seem 
to tarry long, true and faithful is His word." 

I am glad Miss Williams comes a little nearer 
to us. Do the same good office to Molly Jones. 
She professes to love you ; if she really does, 
press on, and you will prevail. Does not Tommy 
Jones hurt her ? He is lively and good-natured, 
but has no liking either to the doctrine or dis- 
cipline of the Methodists. Such a person is 
just calculated for weakening all that is right 
and strengthening all that is wrong in her. 

To Miss Mary Stokes. 



7 6 



Wesley's letters 



LXV. 

THE USES OF AFFLICTION. 

Yarm, June 16, 1772. 
\ \ 7E are sure the means which our blessed 
* " Lord uses to conform us to his image 
are (all circumstances considered) the very 
best; for he cannot but do all things well; 
therefore, whenever it pleases him to send 
affliction, then affliction is best. Yet we must 
not imagine he is tied down to this or that he 
cannot give any degree of holiness without it. 
We have reason to believe, from the earliest 
records, that St. Paul suffered a thousand 
times more than St. John. And yet one can 
hardly doubt but St. John was as holy as he 
or any of the apostles. Therefore stand 
ready for whatsoever our Lord shall send ; 
but do not require him to send you affliction. 
Perhaps he will take another way; he will 
overpower your whole soul with peace and 
joy and love, and thereby work in you a 
fuller conformity to himself than you ever ex- 
perienced yet. You have ; hold fast there : 

All's alike to me, so I 

In my Lord may live and die. 

To Miss Mary Stokes. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



77 



LXVI. 

"BEWARE OF STRIKING INTO NEW PATHS." 

Sheffield, August io, 1772. 
JWTY DEAR SISTER: Having finished, 
* " * for the present, my business at Leeds, 
I am come thus far on my journey to Bristol. 
But I must take Haverford West in the way 
thither; so that I do not expect to be there 
till the 30th instant. How many blessings 
may you receive in the meantime, provided 
you seek them in the good old way wherein you 
received the Lord Jesus Christ ! So walk in 
him still. Beware of striking into new paths ! 
of being wise above that is written ! Perhaps 
we may find sweetness in the beginning, but 
it would be bitterness in the latter end. O 
my sister, my friend, I am afraid for you ! I 
doubt you are stepping out of the way. When 
you enter into your closet, and shut the door, 
and pray to your Father who seeth in secret, 
then is the time to groan, to him who reads the 
heart, the unutterable prayer. But to be 
silent in the congregation of his people is 
wholly new, and therefore wholly wrong. A 
silent meeting was never heard of in the 
Church of Christ for sixteen hundred years. 
I entreat you to read over, with much prayer, 



;S weslev's letters 

that little tract, A Letter to a Quaker. I fear 
you are on the brink of a precipice, and you 
know it not. The enemy has put on his 
angel's face, and you take him for a friend. 
Retire immediately ! Go not near the tents 
of those dead, formal men called Quakers. 
Keep close to your class, to your band, to your 
old teachers; they haYe the words of eternal 
life ! HaYe any of them offended you ? Has 

any stumbling-block been laid in your way ? 

To Miss Mary Stokes. 

LXVfL 

"CAN YOU GIYE UP ALL FOR CHRIST?" 

[Miss Bishop, at Keynsham, was at the head of what 
Mr. Wesley calls "a Christian school." In his Journal, 
October 5, 17S7, he writes: "I preached at noon in 
Keynsham, and the power of God was present in an 
uncommon degree ; so was it when I met the children 
a: Miss Bishop's, and afterward those at Mr. Simpson's. 
I verily think the spirit and behavior of these two sets 
of children gradually affect the whole place, which now 
retains scarce anything of the brutality and savageness 
for which it was eminent some years ago." You will 
note that the correspondence was long before the above 
entry.] 

OUT if you are willing to cast in your lot 
" with us I had rather that the single 
women in both classes, who desire it, should 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 79 

meet with you, and any others who are not afraid 
of the reproach of Christ. In that little tract, 
A Plain Account of the People called Metho- 
dists, you see our whole plan. We have but one 
point in view, to be altogether Christians, 
scriptural, rational Christians. For which we 
well know, not only the world, but the almost 
Christians, will never forgive us. From these, 
therefore, if you join heart and hand with us, 
you are to expect neither justice nor mercy. 
If you are determined, let me know. But 
consider what you do. Can you give up all 
for Christ ? the hope of improving your fortune, 
a fair reputation, and agreeable friends ? Can 
he make you amends for all these ? Is he 
alone a sufficient portion ? I think you will 
find him so. And if you were as entirely de- 
voted to God as Jenny Cooper was you 
would never have cause to repent of your 
choice, either in time or in eternity. 

LXVIII. 

" BE ALTOGETHER CHRISTIANS." 

[The correspondence began by the offer of Miss 
Bishop to become a Methodist. She desired more care- 
ful instruction. In the preceding letter Mr. Wesley 
says that they have but one point in view : u to be al- 
together Christians, scriptural, rational Christians." 



8o 



wesley's letters 



She casts in her lot with the Methodists. She now has 
peace with God but does not know 11 the time " when it 
was received. Read his encouraging answer.] 

November 22, 1769. 
JWIY DEAR SISTER: It is exceedingly 
' * * strange. I should really wonder (if I 
could wonder at any weakness of human na- 
ture) that so good a woman as . and one 

who particularly piques herself on her catholic 
spirit, should be guilty of such narrowness of 
spirit. Let us not vary in thought or word from 
the Methodist principle " Whosoever doeth the 
will of my Father who is in heaven, the same 
is my brother, and sister, and mother." 

We have other instances of persons who 
now enjoy the peace of God, and yet do not 
know the time when they received it. And 
God is sovereign ; he may make what excep- 
tions he pleases to his general rule. So this 
objection is easily set aside; and so is that of 
your age. The Spirit of the Lord can give un- 
derstanding, either in a longer or in a shorter 
time. And I doubt not but he will give you 
favor in the eyes of your sisters. You have only 
to go on in simplicity, doing the will of God 
from the heart, and trusting in the anointing 
of the Holy One to teach you of all things. 

I am glad you are acquainted with Miss 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



8l 



Owens. Encourage each other to be alto- 
gether Christians. Defy fashion and custom, 
and labor only to 

Steer your useful lives below 
By reason and by grace. 

Let not the gentlewoman entrench upon the 
Christian, but be a simple follower of the Lamb. 

At present you are exactly in your place, 
and I trust no temptation, inward or outward, 
shall ever induce you to depart from the work 
to which God has called you. You must ex- 
pect to be pushed to both extremes by turns, 
and you need all the power of God to save 
you from it. And he will save you to the 
uttermost, provided you still retain the sense 

of your poverty and helplessness. 
To Miss Bishop. 

LXIX. 

" FAITH IS SPIRITUAL SIGHT." 

[In Letters LXIX-LXX, note her questions (they 
trouble some young women to-day): the fears and doubts, 
and how cured ; the way to true simplicity; freedom from 
unprofitable reasonings; communion with saints in par- 
adise.] 

November 5, 1770. 

JWl Y DEAR SISTER: I am glad you had 
* " * such success in your labor of love; in all 
things you shall reap, if you faint not. And 



82 



Wesley's letters 



the promise is, " They shall run and not be 
weary ; they shall walk and not faint." How 
does the little society prosper ? Are you all 
united in love ? And are you all aware of that 
bane of love, talebearing and evil speaking ? 
Do you retain that little spark of faith ? Are 
you going forward, and have you as strong a 
desire as ever " to increase with all the increase 
of God ? " * 

See the Lord, thy keeper, stand, 

Omnipotently near ! 
Lo, he holds thee by thy hand, 

And banishes thy fear ! 

O trust him, love him, and praise him ! 

I know not that you have anything to do 
with fear. Your continual prayer should be 
for faith and love. I admired a holy man in 
France who, considering the state of one who 
was full of doubts and fears, forbade him to 
think of his sins at all, and ordered him to 
think only of the love of God in Christ. The 
fruit was all his fears vanished away, and he 
lived and died in the triumph of faith. 

Faith is sight, that is, spiritual sight, and it 
is light and not darkness ; so that the famous 
popish phrase, " The darkness of faith," is a 
contradiction in terms. O beware of all who 
talk in that unscriptural manner, or they will 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



83 



perplex, if not destroy, you ! I cannot find in 

my Bible any such sin as legality. Truly, we 

have been often afraid where no fear was. I 

am not half legal enough, not enough under 

the law of love. Sometimes there is painful 

conviction of sin preparatory to full sanctifi- 

cation, sometimes a conviction that has far 

more pleasure than pain, being mixed with 

joyful expectation. Always there should be a 

gradual growth in grace, which need never be 

intermitted from the time we are justified. 

Do not wait, therefore, for pain or anything 

* else, but simply for all-conquering faith. 
To Miss Bishop. 

LXX. 

" YOU LOOK INWARD TOO MUCH AND UPWARD 

TOO LITTLE." 

February 16, 1 771. 

JWIY DEAR SISTER: You look inward 
* * * too much and upward too little. 

Christ is ready to impart 

Life to all, for life who sigh ; 

In thy mouth and in thy heart 
The word is ever nigh. 

Encourage yourself to trust in him ; that is 
your point ; then he will do all things well. 
Legality, with most who use that term, really 
7 



8 4 



wesley's letters 



means tenderness of conscience. There is no 

propriety in the word if one would take it for 

seeking justification by works. Considering, 

therefore, how hard it is to fix the meaning of 

that odd term, and how dreadfully it has been 

abused, I think it highly advisable for all the 

Methodists to lay it aside. 
To Miss Bishop. 

LXXI. 

"COMMUNION OF SAINTS EXTENDS TO THOSE 

IN PARADISE." 

June 12, 1773. 

IWIY DEAR SISTER: " True simplicity," 
* ' * Fenelon says, " is that grace whereby the 
soul is delivered from all unprofitable reflections 
upon itself." I add, " and upon all other per- 
sons and things." This is an unspeakable 
blessing. And it is the mere gift of God, not 
naturally annexed either to greatness or little- 
ness of understanding. A single eye is a great 
help to this. Seek one thing, and you will be 
far less troubled with unprofitable reasonings. 

It has in all ages been allowed that the com- 
munion of saints extends to those in paradise 
as well as those upon earth, as they are all one 
body united under one head. And 

Can death's interposing tide 
Spirits one in Christ divide ? 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



85 



But it is difficult to say either what kind or 
what degree of union may be between them. 
It is not improbable their fellowship with us 
is far more sensible than ours with them. 
Suppose any of them are present, they are hid 
from our eyes, but we are not hid from their 
sight. They, no doubt, clearly discern all our 
words and actions, if not all our thoughts too. 
For it is hard to think these walls of flesh and 
blood can intercept the view of an angelic 
being. But we have in general only a faint 
and indistinct perception of their presence, 
unless in some peculiar instances, where it 
may answer some gracious ends of divine 
providence. Then it may please God to per- 
mit that they should be perceptible, either by 
some of our outward senses or by an internal 
sense, for which human language has not any 
name. But I suppose this is not a common 
blessing. I have known but a few instances 
of it. To keep up constant and close com- 
munion with God is the most likely means to 
obtain this also. 

Whatever designs a man has, whatever he is 
proposing to do, either for himself or his friends, 
when his spirit goes hence all is at an end, and 
it is in this sense only that " all our thoughts 
perish." Otherwise all our thoughts and de- 



86 



wesley's letters 



signs, though not carried into execution, are 
noted in His book, who accepts us according 
to our willing mind, and rewards intentions as 
well as actions. By aiming at him in all things, 
by studying to please him in all your thoughts, 
words, and actions, you are continually sowing 
to the Spirit, and of the Spirit you will reap 
life everlasting. 
To Miss Bishop. 

LXXII. 

"difference between heaviness and dark- 
ness OF SOUL." 

[Mr. Wesley asks his correspondents many questions. 
This young student, with the strong mind, brings some 
lengthy answers from the great divine. Note the differ- 
ence between heaviness and darkness of soul. Many 
need the words concerning "conversation," "solitude," 
" self-denial."] 

June 17, 1774- 

MY DEAR SISTER: It is something 
strange that I should never hear of your 
sickness till I hear of your recovery. Both 
the one and the other were designed for bless- 
ings, and I doubt not but they have proved so to 
vou. Since I saw vou first I have not observed 
much occasion for reproving; but we have all 
need of advice and exhortation, else we should 
soon be weary and faint in our minds. It is 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



87 



to be expected that above one half of those 
who not only profess great things, but actually 
enjoy the great salvation, will, nevertheless, be 
sooner or later moved from their steadfastness. 
Some of them will indeed recover what they had 
lost, others will die in their sins. The observing 
this should incite us to double our diligence, 
lest we should fall after their example. 

The difference between heaviness and dark- 
ness of soul (the wilderness state) should never 
be forgotten. Darkness (unless in the case of 
bodily disorder) seldom comes upon us but by 
our own fault. It is not so with respect to 
heaviness, which may be occasioned by a thou- 
sand circumstances, such as frequently neither 
our wisdom can foresee nor our power prevent. 
It seems your trial was of the latter kind ; per- 
haps, too, it was partly owing to the body, but of 
whatsoever kind it was you may profit thereby; 
it need not leave you as it found you. Remem- 
ber the wise saying of Mr. Dodd, u It is a great 
loss to lose an affliction. " If you are no better 
for it you lose it ; but you may gain thereby 
both humility, seriousness, and resignation. 

We so become all things to all, as not to 
hurt our own souls, when we first secure a 
single eye, a steady design to please all for 
their good to edification, and then take care 



88 



wesley's letters 



that our discourse be always good to the use 
of edifying and such as may minister grace to 
the hearers ; but in order to this we have need 
of power from on high and of the wisdom that 
sitteth by the throne. This alone can give us 
to order our conversation aright, so as to profit 
both others and ourselves. Before you can do 
this effectually you must conquer your natural 
reserve and exercise it only to those of whom 
you know nothing at all or of whom you know 
nothing good. Perhaps there is one occasion 
more on which it will be highly expedient if 
not necessary, namely, when good persons (at 
least in some measure so) sink beneath their 
character, trifle away time, or indulge them- 
selves in a conversation which has no tendency 
to improve either the speaker or the hearer. 

I think it will not be best for you to go out 
less than you ever did. Suppose you have 
more faith and more love (as I would fain 
think you have), you certainly ought to go 
out more. Otherwise your faith will insensi- 
bly die away. It is by works only that it can 
be made perfect. And the more the love of 
solitude is indulged the more it will increase. 
This is a temptation common to men. In 
every age and country Satan has whispered 
to those who began to taste the powers of the 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



8 9 



world to come, "To the desert!" "To the 
wilderness ! 99 Most of our little flock at Ox- 
ford were tried with this, my brother and I 
in particular. Nay, but I say, " To the Bible ! 
To the Bible ! " And there you will learn, " as 
you have time, to do good unto all men ; " to 
warn every man, to exhort every man as you 
have opportunity. Although the greatest part 
of your care and labor should be laid out on 
those that are of the household of faith, cer- 
tainly you may do good to others without any- 
ways endangering your own salvation. What 
at present you much want is simplicity, in the 
Archbishop of Cambray's sense of the word: 
grace " whereby the soul casts off all unneces- 
sary reflections upon itself." I wish I could 
say of you, as I did of a young person many 
years ago, when I sent her his little book : 

In art and nature, can we find 

Colors to picture thee ? 
Speak, Cambray's pen, for Sally's mind ; 

She is simplicity. 

To be enabled to relieve those who are in 
want is one excellent part of self-denial. But 
you must not imagine that this will be the only 
one. No; you have a message from God to some 
of those to whom no one almost dare speak the 
plain truth, and he will confirm the word of 



9 o 



wesley's letters 



his messenger, especially to those who are in 
weakness or pain or under any kind of afflic- 
tion. At such a time greatness stands aloof, 
and they are accessible as common persons. 

In religion, as well as in all things else, it is 
use that brings perfectness. I have long la- 
bored under the same infirmity with you, and 
I find but one way to conquer. Take up 
your cross. When the occasion offers, break 
through. Speak, though it is pain and grief 
unto you, and it will be easier and easier, till 
you resemble an eminent surgeon, who once 
said to my brother, " Mr. Wesley, you know I 
would not hurt a fly ; I would not give pain to 
any living thing. But if it were necessary I 
would scrape all the flesh off a man's bones 

and never turn my head aside." 

To Miss Bishop. 

'4 • LXXIII; M 

" THOUSANDS PERISH THROUGH THE NEGLECT 

OF OTHERS." 

[He gives a plain answer to the question concerning 
Ezek. xxxiii, 8. Then comes an answer to the question 
whether our petitions on behalfof others are answered.] 

December 26, 1776. 

Jl/IY DEAR SISTER: Either that text in • 
* * *Ezek. xxxiii, 8, is to be understood liter- 
ally or it has no meaning at all. And nothing 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



91 



is more certain, in fact, than that thousands 
perish through the neglect of others. And 
yet God is fully justified therein, because the 
principal cause of their destruction is their 
own neglect, their not working out their own 
salvation with fear and trembling. 

Whatever other ends are answered by 
prayer, this is one, and it seems a primary 
one, that we may have the petitions which 
we ask of him. Asking is the appointed 
means of receiving, and that for others, as 
well as for ourselves, as we may learn partly 
from reason itself, but more fully from our 
own experience, and more clearly still from 
revelation. Reason teaches us to argue from 
analogy. If you (because you have a regard 
for me) would do more for a third person at 
my request than otherwise you would have 
done, how much more will God, at the request 
of his beloved children, give blessings to those 
they pray for, which otherwise he would not 
have given ! And does all experience confirm 
this? How many times have the petitions of 
others been answered to our advantage, and 
ours on the behalf of others ? 

But the most decisive of all proofs is the 
Scripture : " Go to my servant Job, and he 
shall pray for you; for him will I accept." It 



9 2 



wesley's letters 



was not a temporal blessing which was here 
in question, but a spiritual, the forgiveness of 
their sin. So when St. Paul said, " Brethren, 
pray for us," he did not desire this on a tem- 
poral account only, that "he might be deliv- 
ered out of the mouth of the lion," but on a 
spiritual, " that he might speak boldly, as he 
ought to speak." But the instances of this 
are innumerable. In proof of the general 
truth that God gives us both temporal and 
spiritual blessings, in answer to each other's 
prayers, I need only remind you of one 
Scripture more : " Let them pray over him ; 
and the prayer of faith shall save the sick ; 
and if he have committed sins, they shall be 
forgiven him." The promise in the follow- 
ing verse is still more comprehensive : u Pray 
one for another, and ye shall be healed " 
of whatsoever you have confessed to each 
other. 

I lament over every pious young woman who 
is not as active as possible ; seeing everyone shall 
receive his own reward according to his own 
labor. O lose no time ! Buy up every oppor- 
tunity of doing good. It does not appear to me 
that you ought, on any consideration, to give 
up the privileges you mention. Neither do I 
apprehend that you would be more useful in a 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



93 



boarding school than you are in your present 
station. I cannot, therefore, advise you to 
relinquish it. You have now a large field of 
action, you have employment enough, both 
temporal and spiritual, and you have ease 
enough. Abide in your calling. The pious 
young woman whom I particularly lament 
over does not live at Bath, but Bristol. But 
I cannot help her ; she allows premises, but 
holds fast her own conclusion. O, who can 
bear riches ! Who can gain money, without, in 
some measure, losing grace ! I verily believe 
if she were as poor as you she would be as 

advisable. 

To Miss Bishop. 

LXXIV. 

" YOU NEVER NEED LOSE ANYTHING OF WHAT 
GOD HAS WROUGHT." 

[Elizabeth Ritchie lived at Otley. Her saintly father 
was a warm friend of Mr. Wesley. " Betsy," though in 
poor health, lived a beautiful life and was often referred 
to by Mr. Wesley. The correspondence continued twelve 
years. One of her first letters states how she entered 
into the higher Christian experience. "Yet I hardly 
durst lay hold on them (the promises), unbelief 
striving so hard to prevent my entering into rest. But 
the Lord continued so to bless me that at last I could 
not doubt ; all I feared was, losing what I had received, 



94 



wesley's letters 



which made me backward in speaking of it. I thought I 
would wait and see how it would be with me by and by. . . . 
Told the Band, and God sweetly smiled on me. I hope 
you will reprove and advise me as occasion shall require."] 

June 3, 1774. 

IWIY DEAR BETSY: I shall much want 
* ™ * to hear that you stand fast in the liberty 
wherewith Christ has made you free. It is abso- 
lutely certain that you never need lose anything 
of what God has wrought. He is able and he is 
willing to give you always what he has once 
given. He will do it provided you watch unto 
prayer and stir up the gift of God which is in 
you. There is one invariable rule which God 
observes in all his dealings with the children 
of men : "Unto him that hath" (uses what he 
hath) " shall be given, and he shall have more 
abundantly." When we are justified he gives 
us one talent ; to those that use this he gives 
more. When we are sanctified he gives, as it 
were, five talents. And if you use the whole 
power which is then given he will not only 
continue that power but increase it day by day. 
Meantime be not ignorant of Satan's devices; 
he will cast temptations upon you, 

Thick as autumnal leaves that strew the ground. 

But with every temptation there shall be a way 
to escape ; and you shall be more than con- 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



95 



queror through him that loves you. You can 
do, you can suffer his whole will. Go on in 

his name and in the power of his might. 

To Miss Betsy Ritchie \ 

LXXV. 

" ONE MEANS OF RETAINING THE PURE LOVE 

OF GOD." 

June 23, 1774. 
JWl Y DEAR BETSY: It gives me pleasure 
* ^ * to find that you still stand fast in the liberty 
wherewith Christ has made you free, and that in 
spite of various temptations. And these indeed 
you are still to expect, for Satan neither slum- 
bers nor sleeps, and he will strive to torment 
if he cannot destroy. Nay, God himself, as one 
observes, " prepareth for thee occasions of fight- 
ing, that thou mayest conquer." So that you are 
still called to fight the good fight of faith, and 
thus to lay hold on eternal life. One admirable 
help toward conquering all is for believers to 
keep close together, to walk hand in hand, and 
provoke one another to love and to good works. 
And one means of retaining the pure love of 
God is the exhorting others to press earnestly 
after it. When you meet on a Sunday morning 
I doubt not but this will be the chief matter 
both of your prayers and conversation. You 



9 6 



wesley's letters 



may then expect to be more and more abun- 
dantly endued with power from on high, 
witnessing that he is faithful and just both to 
forgive us our sins and also to cleanse us from 
all unrighteousness. 
To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 

LXXVI. 
redeeming the time. 

[We give in this note Miss Ritchie's reply to the fol- 
lowing letter. " I am in some measure always sensible 
of His presence, though at times I have a much deeper 
consciousness that God is hereXhaxn at others ; and though 
my lips are not always employed in calling on the Lord, 
yet I feel the desire of my soul continually toward him, 
and my heart cries unto him, without a voice, ' Do with 
me as thou wilt ; 1 so that in this sense I pray without 
ceasing."] 

September I, 1774. 

MY DEAR BETSY: It is an admirable 
providence which keeps you thus weak in 
body till your soul has received more strength. 
It is good that you should feel how very help- 
less you are, that you may hang upon Him con- 
tinually. Are you always sensible of his 
presence ? In what sense do you pray without 
ceasing? Can you in everything give thanks? 
And have you a witness in yourself that all you 
say and do is well pleasing to him? 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



97 



Could you but use constant exercise in the 
open air I think you would need no other 
medicine. But it is certain, be your body well 
or ill, all is best as long as your soul is stayed 
on Him. And why should not this be without 
any intermission till your spirit returns to God ? 
nay, with a continual increase ? For this is your 
calling, to sink deeper and deeper into him; 
out of his fullness to receive more and more 
till you know all that love of God that passeth 
knowledge. 

I hope you do not pass any day without 
spending some time in private exercises. 
What do you read at these seasons ? Do you 
read, as it were, by chance, or have you a 
method in reading? I want you to make the 
best use that is possible of every means of im- 
provement. Now is the time ! Now you have 
the fervor of youth on your side. Now animal 
nature is in its perfection. Now your faculties 
are in their vigor. And happy are you, who 
have been enabled to begin your race betimes ! 
I hope you are just now minding this one thing, 
looking unto Jesus and pressing on to the mark, 
to the prize of our high calling ! O run, and 
never tire ! 

To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 



9 S 



wesley's letters 



LXXVII. 

" DO YOU FEEL NOTHING CONTRARY TO RESIG- 
NATION ?" 

ju';, 15. i;;6 
/V/IV DEAR BETSY: I suppose you wait 
* * * fcr my wr:;::- firs:. Nay. I hope this is 
the case ; otherwise I should be afraid that 
you were fallen ill again. How is your health ? 
And how is your mind ? Do vou find as near 
and as constant a communion with God as ever ? 
Are you always happy ? Does no circumstance 
interrupt or deaden your spirit of prayer ? Do 
you feel nothing contrary :: resignation ? Can 
you say with your whole heart, 

" Determined all thy will to obey, 

Thy blessings I restore : 
Give, Lord, or take thy gifts away, 

I praise thee evermore?" 

Tire word of our Lord to you is, " Feed my 
lambs." Merhinks I ?ee you giving yourself 
up, as far as you possibly can, to that blessed 
work, carrving the weak, as it were, in your 
bosom, and gentlv leading the rest to the 
waters of comfort. Meantime your own soul 
will enjoy a well of water springing up into 
everlasting lire. If you find any perplexing 
temptation in your way you should not scruple 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



99 



to let me know. Youth is the season for many 
of the most dangerous temptations incident to 
human nature. But indeed you are preserved 
from many of these by your settled determi- 
nation to slight all dreams of creature happi- 
ness and give your heart to Him who alone is 
worthy. 

To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 

LXXVIII. 

" AN INLET FOR A THOUSAND DELUSIONS." 

August 12, 1776. 

IWIY DEAR BETSY: To talk of " think- 
* * -* ing without ideas " is stark nonsense. 
Whatever is presented to your mind is an idea; 
so that to be without ideas is not to think at 
all. Seeing, feeling, joy, grief, pleasure, pain, 
are ideas. Therefore to be without ideas is 

to be without either sense or reason. Mr. 

certainly does not understand the word ; he 
mistakes it for images. 

O, desire nothing different in nature from 
love ! There is nothing higher in earth or 
heaven. Whatever he speaks of, which seems 
to be higher, is either natural or preternatural 
enthusiasm. Desire none of these extraordi- 
naries. Such a desire might be an inlet to a 
8 



100 



Wesley's letters 



thousand delusions. I wish your desires may 
all center in that — 



11 1 want the witness, Lord, 

That all I do is right ! 
According to thy will and word, 

Well pleasing in thy sight ! 
I ask no higher state, 

Indulge me but in this ! 
And soon, or later, then translate 

To my eternal bliss." 



You say Satan laid a snare for you. What 

snare was that ? I am concerned in whatever 

concerns you. 

To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 



LXXIX. 

"DO YOU LIVE IN ETERNITY?" 



[IVes/e/s Journal, May 28, 1777 : "I found E. R. 
weaker and happier than ever. Her life seemed spun 
out to the last thread. I spent half an hour with her, to 
Teach her, at once, and learn of her, to die." 

June 9. — " I spent one more hour at Otley. ... I 
have not before seen so triumphant an instance of the 
power of faith. Though in constant pain she has no com- 
plaint ; so does the glory of God overshadow her and 
swallow up her will in his ! "] 



Y DEAR BETSY : It is with great pleas- 



* " 1 ure I learn that God has been pleased 
to lift you up from the gates of death, and 



August 2, 1777. 




TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



IOI 



that your strength is considerably increased, 
although you are far from being out of dan- 
ger. When, and in what manner, was this 
change wrought ? Can you impute it to any 
outward circumstance? How did you feel 
your mind affected when you found a return 
of strength ? Did you rejoice or grieve, or 
calmly desire, " Let the will of the Lord be 
done ? " In what respects are you better than 
when I saw you ? In what respects are you the 
same, or worse ? Give me as particular an 
account as you can. Do you find your soul as 
much alive to God as ever? Does not the 
corruptible body press down the soul ? Do you 
feel faith's abiding impression, realizing things 
to come ? Do you live in eternity and walk 
in eternity ? And do you still (as Mr. De 
Renty says) lt carry about with you an experi- 
mental verity and a fullness of the presence of 

the ever-blessed Trinity ? " 
To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 

LXXX. 
" A CLOSE TRIAL." 

August 24, 1777. 

MY DEAR BETSY: Ever since I was 
informed that it has pleased God in 
some measure to restore your strength I have 



102 



weslev's letters 



lived in hope that he will yet be entreated and 
will give you back to our prayers. Do you still 
find the same consciousness of the presence of 
the ever-blessed Trinity ? Do you find it day 
and night ? In the midst of trials does it remain 
the same ? But one would be ready to ask, ex- 
cepting a weak body, what trials can you have ? 

Secluded from the world, and all its care, 
Hast thou to joy or grieve, to hope or fear? 

Unless it be for this — you long to please all for 
their good; but you cannot succeed. You 
would fain rive them satisfaction ; but thev 
will not be satisfied. This may be a close trial 

To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 

LXXXI. 

WHY MIDDLE-AGED CHRISTIANS ARE LESS ZEAL- 
OUS FOR GOD. 

Traceex, Pembrokeshire, August 19, 1784. 

SOME years ago I committed a little com- 
pany of lovely children to the care of one 
of our sisters at Haverford. I was concerned 
yesterday to find she was weary of well-doing 
and had totally given up her charge. I hope, 
my dear Betsy, this will never be your case ! 
You will never leave off your labor of love, 
though yon should not always (not immediatelv, 
at least) see the fruit of your labors. You may 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



not immediately see Mrs. H so established 

in grace as you desire and hope. But in this, 
as well as many other instances, in due time 
"you shall reap if you faint not." 

I have been often musing upon this — why 
the generality of Christians, even those that 
really are such, are less zealous and less active 
for God when they are middle-aged than they 
were when they were young. May we not draw 
an answer to this question from that declara- 
tion of our Lord (no less than eight times 
repeated by the evangelists), " To him that 
hath " (uses what he hath), " shall be given ; but 
from him that hath not, shall be taken away 
that he hath. ,, A measure of zeal and activity 
is given to everyone when he finds peace with 
God. If he earnestly and diligently uses this 
talent it will surely be increased. But if he 
ceases (yea, or intermits) to do good he insen- 
sibly loses both the will and the power. So 
there is no possible way to retain those talents 
but to use them to the uttermost. Let this 
never be the case of my dear friend. Never 
abate anything of your diligence in doing good. 
Sometimes, indeed, the feeble body sinks under 
you ; but when you do all you can, you do 
enough. 

To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 



io4 



wesley's letters 



LXXXII. 

" the scandal of the cross is ceased." 

Dublin, June 26, 1785. 

MY DEAR BETSY: Our Lord has indeed 
poured out abundance of blessings, almost 
in every part of this kingdom. I have now gone 
through every province and visited all the chief 
societies, and I have found far the greater part 
of them increasing both in number and strength. 
Many are convinced of sin, many justified, 
and not a few perfected in love. One means 
of which is, that several of our young preachers 
of whom we made little account, appear to be 
(contrary to all expectation) men full of faith 
and of the Holy Ghost ; and they are pushing 
out, to the right hand and the left ; and wher- 
ever they go God prospers their labor. I know 
not whether Thomas Walsh will not revive 
in two, if not three, of them. 

Many years ago I was saying, " I cannot 
imagine how Mr. Whitefield can keep his soul 
alive, as he is not now going through honor and 
dishonor, evil report and good report ; having 
nothing but honor and good report attending 
him wherever he goes." It is now my own 
case : I am just in the condition now that he 
was then in. I am become, I know not how, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



an honorable man. The scandal of the cross 

is ceased ; and all the kingdom, rich and poor, 

Papists and Protestants, behave with courtesy, 

nay, and seeming good will ! It seems as if I 

had well-nigh finished my course, and our Lord 

was giving me an honorable discharge. 
To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 

LXXXIII. 

" THREE DIFFERENT WAYS WHEREIN GOD LEADS 

HIS PEOPLE." 

[This is the last of this remarkable series of letters. 
Miss Ritchie was in some respects the most spiritual cor- 
respondent that Mr. Wesley had. She was the second of 
three persons whom Wesley knew as having a special 
" experience with regard to the Trinity."] 

London, February 24, 1786. 

JVAY DEAR BETSY: It is doubtless the 

* * * will of the Lord we should be guided by 

our reason, so far as it can go. But in many 

cases it gives us very little light, and in others 

none at all. In all cases it cannot guide us 

right but in subordination to the unction of the 

Holy One. So that in all our ways we are to 

acknowledge him, and he will direct our paths. 

I do not remember to have heard or read 

anything like my own experience. Almost 

ever since I can remember I have been led in 

a peculiar way. I go on in an even line, being 



io6 



wesley's letters 



very little raised at one time or depressed at 
another. Count Zinzendorf observes there are 
three different ways wherein it pleases God to 
lead his people. Some are guided almost in 
every instance by apposite texts of Scripture. 
Others see a clear and plain reason for every- 
thing they are to do. And yet others are led 
not so much by Scripture or reason as by par- 
ticular impressions. I am very rarely led by 
impressions, but generally by reason and by 
Scripture. I see abundantly more than I feel. 

I want to feel more love and zeal for God. 
To Miss Betsy Ritchie. 

LXXXIV. 

" OUR LIVES ARE NOT AT OUR OWN DISPOSAL." 

[We give five letters to Hetty A. Roe, better known by 
her married name of " Hester Ann Rogers." She informs 
Wesley concerning certain work. She writes : 11 The chil- 
dren who professed sanctification when you were here 
stand steadfast and walk irreprovably, though they have 
much opposition from those who do not believe the doc- 
trine. Indeed, I believe it is a means of good to them, 
constraining them to walk and cleave so much the nearer 
to God, that he may give them wisdom and strength."] 

Bristol, October 6, 1776. 

THE trials which a gracious Providence 
sends may be precious means of growing 
in grace, and particularly of increasing in faith, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



patience, and resignation ; and are they not 
all chosen for us by infinite wisdom and good- 
ness ? So that we may well subscribe to those 
beautiful lines — 

" With patient mind thy course of duty run ; 
God nothing does, or suffers to be done, 
But thou wouldst do thyself, if thou couldst see 
The end of all events as well as he." 

Everything that we can do for a parent we 
ought to do ; that is, everything we can do 
without killing ourselves. But this we have 
no right to do. Our lives are not at our own 
disposal. Remember that, my dear Hetty, and 
do not carry a good principle too far. Do you 
still find 

Labor is rest, and pain is sweet, 
When thou, my God, art here ? 

I know pain or grief does not interrupt your 

happiness, but does it not lessen it ? You often 

feel sorrow for your friends : does that sorrow 

rather quicken than depress your soul ? Does 

it sink you deeper into God ? 
To Miss H. A. Roe. 



io8 



Wesley's letters 



LXXXV. 

u CHANCE HAS NO SHARE IN THE GOVERNMENT 

THE WORLD." 

London, February n, 1779. 
JWI Y DEAR HETTY: It is a great mercy 
* * * that on the one hand you have previous 
warning of the trials that are at hand, and on 
the other are not careful about them, but only 
prepared to encounter them. We know indeed 
that these as well as all things are ordered by 
unerring wisdom, and are given us exactly at 
the right time, and in due number, weight, and 
measure. And they continue no longer than is 
best, for chance has no share in the government 
of the world. The Lord reigns and disposes all 
things, strongly and sweetly, for the good of 
them that love him. I rejoice to hear that you 
have now less hindrance in the way, and can 
oftener converse with his people. Be sure to 
improve every one of those precious oppor- 
tunities of doing and receiving good. 

I am often grieved to observe that although 
on His part u the gifts and callings of God are 
without repentance;" although he never re- 
pents of anything he has given us, but is will- 
ing to give it always, yet so very few retain the 
same ardor of affection which they received 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



either when they were justified, or when they 

were (more fully) sanctified. Certainly none 

need to lose any part of their light or their 

love. It may increase more and more. Of this 

you are a witness for God ; and so is our dear 

Miss . You have not lost anything of what 

you have received ; your love has never grown 

cold since the moment God visited you with 

his great salvation. 
To Miss H. A. Roe, 

LXXXVI. 

" NOTHING HIGHER THAN PURE LOVE." 

Liverpool, April io, 1781. 
JIVI Y DEAR HETTY : Many of our breth- 
* * * ren and sisters in London, during that 
great outpouring of the Spirit, spoke of several 
new blessings which they had attained. But 
after all they could find nothing higher than 
pure love, on which the full assurance of hope 
generally attends. This the inspired writings 
always represent as the highest point, only 
there are innumerable degrees of it. The 
plerophory, or full assurance of faith, is such 
a clear conviction of being now in the favor of 
God as excludes all doubt and fear concerning 
it. The full assurance of hope is such a clear 
confidence in the person who possesses it, that 



no 



wesley's letters 



he shall enjoy the glory of God, as excludes all 
doubt and fear concerning this. And this con- 
fidence is totally different from an opinion that 
u no saint shall fall from grace." It has, indeed, 
no relation to it. Bold, presumptuous men often 
substitute this base counterfeit in the room of 
that precious confidence. But it is observable 
the opinion remains just as strong while men 
are sinning and serving the devil as while they 
are serving God. Holiness or unholiness does 
not affect it in the least degree ; whereas the 
giving way to anything unholy either in heart 
or life immediately clouds the full assurance of 
hope ; which cannot subsist any longer than 

the heart cleaves steadfastly to God. 
To Miss H. A. Roe. 



" FULL SALVATION ATTAINABLE NOW BY FAITH." 



Y DEAR HETTY : In the success of 



■ v * Mr. Leech's preaching we have one proof 
of a thousand that the blessing of God 
always attends the publishing of full salvation, 
as attainable now by simple faith. You should 
always have in readiness that little tract, "The 
Plain Account of Christian Perfection." There 
is nothing that would so effectually stop the 



LXXXVII. 



London, January 7, 1782. 




TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



Ill 



mouths of those who call this " a new doctrine." 

All who thus object are really (though they 

suspect nothing less) seeking sanctiflcation by 

works. If it be by works, then certainly these 

will need time, in order to the doing of these 

works. But if it is by faith, it is plain a moment 

is as a thousand years. Then God says (in the 

spiritual as well as in the outward world), " Let 

there be light," and there is light. 

I am in great hopes as J. S. got his own soul 

much quickened in Macclesfield he will now be 

a blessing to many at Chester. A few witnesses 

of pure love remain there still, but several are 

gone to Abraham's bosom. Encourage those in 

M. who enjoy it to speak explicitly of what they 

do experience, and to go on, till they know all 

that "love of God that passeth knowledge." 
To Miss H. A. Roe. 

LXXXVIII. 

" CHILDREN ARE GLORIOUS MONUMENTS OF 
DIVINE GRACE." 

Darlington, June 25, 1782. 
iyiY DEAR HETTY: It is certain there 
' ' * has been, for these forty years, such an 
outpouring of the Spirit, and such an increase 
of vital religion, as has not been in England for 
many centuries; and it does not appear that 



112 



Wesley's letters 



the work of God at all decays. In many places 
there is a considerable increase of it, so that we 
have reason to hope that the time is at hand 
when the kingdom of God shall come with 
power, and all the people of this poor heathen 
land shall know him, from the least to the 
greatest. 

I am glad you had so good an opportunity 

of talking with Mr. . Surely, if prayer 

was made for him, so useful an instrument as 
he was would not be suffered to lose all his 
usefulness. I wish vou could make such little 
excursions oftener, as you always find your 
labor is not in vain. 

This afternoon I was agreeably surprised by 

a letter from our dear Miss . It seems as 

it God, in answer to many prayers, has lent her 
to us yet a little longer. " He bringeth down 
to the grave, and bringeth up again. Wise are 
all his ways ! " 

Take particular care, my dear Hetty, of the 
children ; they are glorious monuments of di- 
vine grace, and I think you have a particular 
affection for them, and a gift to profit them. 

To Miss ff. A. Roe. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



Lkxxix. 

" READ A LITTLE, PRAY AND MEDITATE 

MUCH." 

December 17, 1773. 

MY DEAR SISTER : Certainly the more 
good you do, the more will many be 
tempted against you. But go on. So much the 
more will the Spirit of glory and of Christ rest 
upon you. By fighting against that reserve you 
will conquer it ; the more it is resisted the more 
it is weakened. You need not be overcome by 
peevishness any more. The grace of God is 
sufficient for you. It seems that you are at 
present in your place. " How knowest thou, 
but thou shalt gain thy brother? " The most 
profitable way of reading is to read in an exact 
method ; suppose a chapter or two (as time 
may serve) in the Old Testament, with the 
notes, in the morning, and a chapter, more or 
less, of the New Testament, and notes, in the 
afternoon or evening. Next to this, it might 
be useful to read the works in order, only not 
too fast, not too much at a time. For all read- 
ing should be joined with meditation and 
prayer. Read a little ; pray and meditate 
much. In order to converse usefully, we had 
a rule at Oxford to plan every conversation 



™4 



weslky's letters 



before we went into company ; to consider 

what subject would be most useful, and how 

to prosecute it. And though of yourself you 

are not sufficient for these things, yet One is 

nigh to supply all your wants. Love him and 

trust him for all things. 
To Miss Patty Chapman. 

xc. 

" HABES FIDEM, SED EXIGUAM." 

[The two letters to Miss Sophia Cooke note a great 
advance in her experience. She writes to Mr. Wesley 
because she thinks something must be wrong when the 
Spirit's influence is so mild and gentle upon her, and so 
powerful upon many others.] 

London, October 30, 1785. 

MY DEAR MISS COOKE leans to the 
right-hand error. It is safer to think too 
little than too much of yourself. I blame 
none for not believing he is in the favor of 
God, till he is in a manner constrained to be- 
lieve it. But, laying all circumstances to- 
gether, I can make no doubt of your having 
a measure of faith. Manv vears ag;o, when 
one was describing the glorious privilege of a 
believer, I cried out, u If this be so, I have no 
faith." He replied, M Habes fidem, sed ex- 
iguam j 4 You have faith, but it is weak.' " 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



115 



The very same thing I say to you, my dear 
friend. You have faith, but it is only as a 
grain of mustard seed. Hold fast what you 
have, and ask for what you want. There is an 
irreconcilable variability in the operations of 
the Holy Spirit on the souls of men, more 
especially as to the manner of justification. 
Many find him rushing upon them like a tor- 
rent, while they experience 

The overwhelming power of saving grace. 

This has been the experience of many ; per- 
haps of more, in this late visitation, than in any 
other age since the times of the apostles. But 
in others, he works in a very different way : 

He designs his influence to infuse, 
Sweet, refreshing, as the violet dews. 

It has pleased him to work the latter way in you 
from the beginning, and it is not improbable 
he will continue (as he has begun) to work in a 
gentle and almost imperceptible manner. Let 
him take his own way ; he is wiser than you ; 
he will do all things well. Do not reason 
against him, but let the prayer of your heart be, 

" Mold as thou wilt thy passive clay ! " 

I commit you and your dear sisters to his 
tender care. 

To Miss Cooke, 



n6 



wesley's letters 



XCI. 

" love is the spring of all inward and out- 
ward obedience." 

Macclesfield, March 31, 1787. 
|\JOW you give me a proof, my dear Miss 
* ^ Cooke, that you have not forgotten me. 
But considering that I am usually obliged to 
write in haste, I often doubt whether my cor- 
respondence is worth having. 

When the witness and the fruit of the Spirit 
meet together, there can be no stronger proof 
that we are of God. But still you may relapse 
into doubts, if you do not steadily watch 
against evil reasonings ; and were you to sub- 
stitute the deductions of reason for the witness 
of the Spirit, you never would be established. 
That all trials are for good, you cannot always 
see (at least for the present), but you may 
always believe. You have doubtless reason 
to be thankful to God that you feel love in 
your heart. Nay, indeed, thankfulness, grati- 
tude, and love, for benefits received, are al- 
most, if not quite, the same. Accordingly, in 
this world (whatever be the case in the next) 
we love him because he hath first loved us. 
This love is, undoubtedly, the spring of all in- 
ward and outward obedience. But we delight 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 117 

to do what he has commanded ; and for that 
very reason, because he has commanded it. So 

Obedience is our pure delight, 
To do the pleasure of our Lord. 

I was a good deal refreshed with the company 
of you and your dear sisters when we last met. 
The more so, because I trust you are all going 
forward in the good way. Peace be multi- 
plied unto you ! 
To Miss Cooke. 

XCII. 

" IN WHAT SENSE DO YOU PRAY WITHOUT CEAS- 
ING ? " 

London, December 17, 1787. 

MY DEAR SISTER : I love to hear from 
you, especially when you send me that 
good news that you still stand fast in the lib- 
erty wherewith Christ has made you free. I 
have a good hope that you will never lose any 
of the things which he has wrought in you, 
but that you will receive a full reward. Do 
you always find a clear sense of the presence 
of the ever-blessed Trinity? Are you enabled 
to rejoice evermore ? In what sense do you 
pray without ceasing ? And can you in every- 
thing give thanks, seeing it is the will of 
God concerning you in Christ Jesus ? What 



n8 



Wesley's letters 



you speak of your communion with him 

comforts my heart. I love to read, to hear 

any part, of your experience. If I doubted of 

anything you say I would tell you so. I want 

to know everything wherein I can serve you. 
To Miss Jane Bisson. 

XCIII. 

" BOLDLY LAY HOLD ON THE PROMISE." 

London, December 21, 1787. 

MY DEAR SISTER: You have unspeak- 
able reason to praise God for his late 
manifestations to you. And you will gener- 
ally observe that large consolations are pre- 
ceded by deep exercises of soul. And we all 
have reason to praise him for the many tokens 
we see of his approaching kingdom. It is 
plain Satan, the murderer and the deceiver of 
mankind, is in a great measure bound already ; 
he is not now permitted to deceive the nations as 
in the past ages. And even in the Romish coun- 
tries scarce any are now called to resist unto 
blood. If two or three of you continue instant 
in prayer the work will revive at Trowbridge 
also. When you are met together boldly lay 
hold on the promise : his word will speak, and 
not lie. Peace be with all your spirits ! 
To Miss Jane Bisson, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



II 9 



XCIV. 

"YOU CANNOT ESCAPE CENSURE." 

Near London, February 20, 1788. 

MY DEAR SISTER: Your last letter 
gave me a very sensible pleasure : in- 
deed, so do all your letters. There is some- 
thing in your spirit that does me good, that 
softens and quickens me too ; but at the same 
time that melancholy thought occurs that it is 
doubtful whether I shall ever have the satis- 
faction of taking you by the hand again. I 
shall, if it be the will of Him that orders all 
things well ; who orders all for our profit, that 
we may be partakers of his holiness. And we 
know he will not deny to them that fear him 
any manner of thing that is good. 

Your speaking of trials makes me almost 
cry out, in the wordsr of our poet, 

" Secluded from the world and all its care, 
Hast thou to joy or grieve, to hope or fear ? " 

Shut up as you are, in your father's house, and 
a little retired, quiet island, and having food 
to eat and raiment to put on, what can you 
find to try you ? One of your trials I can 
easily foresee. With all your innocence and 



120 



wesley's letters 



prudence you cannot escape censure. In 
spite of all you can do, the good that is in 
you will surely be evil spoken of. And it 
is not unlikely, some will join in the cry 
against you from whom you expected better 
things. But as you are just entering into life, 
one would think you had hardly met with any 
who rewarded you evil for good, and gave you 
occasion to cry out, 

M Ingratitude ! sharp as the viper's tooth ! M 

However, you have one Friend that never 
fails, and that is always near. What a com- 
fort it is that he is about your bed, and about 

your path, still laying his hand upon you! 

To Miss yane Bis son. 

xcv. 

" be all light, all fire, all love." 

[The Miss Bisson of the preceding letters has become 
Mrs. Jane Cock.] 

Leeds, August 3, 1789. 
IWIY DEAR SISTER: I am always well 
* * * pleased to hear from you. When I first 
heard of your marriage I was afraid of two 
things : the one was, that it would hurt your 
soul ; the other, that it would prevent your use- 
fulness ; at least, that you would not be useful 
in so high a degree as otherwise you might be. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



121 



But your last letter has given me much satis- 
faction. I now hope that your own soul has 
suffered no loss; and likewise that you will 
find many opportunities of doing good, and 
will improve them to the uttermost. I want 
you to do the will of God below as angels do 
above. I want you to be all light, all fire, all 
love, and to grow up in all things into Him 

that is our Head. 
To Mrs. yane Cock. 

XCVI. 

"YOU ARE IN HIS SCHOOL OF AFFLICTION." 

Madeley, March 29, 1788. 
RAY DEAR SISTER: You see I cannot 
* " * refuse anything that you desire; so 
I write the first opportunity. I was much 
surprised at the account which you gave of 
what had lately befallen your friend. But 
in the whole course of that strange affair one 
may discover the hand of God. I am per- 
suaded it was the hand of God for good, both 
in regard to him and you: to him, that he 
might learn both more patience and resigna- 
tion in himself, and more meekness and for- 
bearance toward others; to you, that, being 
cut off from worldly hope, you might simply 
and nakedly hang upon the living God ! You 



122 



weslev's letters 



have already tasted that he is gracious. Go 
on ! You are in his school, the school of afflic- 
tion, where you will always find him a present 
help. But he does not yet clearly point out the 
way that you should go. I was greatly pleased 

with your openness the other day. 

To Miss Harriet Lewis. 

XCVII. 

"TO BE NOT ALMOST BUT ALTOGETHER A CHRIS- 
TIAN." 

Dublin, April 2, 1789. 
JWIY DEAR SISTER: Considering how 
' * ? changeable human nature is, I should 
Jiave thought you would have forgotten me 
before now ; I was therefore agreeably sur- 
prised when I had the pleasure of seeing you 
at Dudley. You seemed to be just the same 
as you were the first time that I conversed with 
you at Air. Moor's house ; to be as desirous 
now as you were then, to be not almost but 
altogether a Christian. But if this be your 
determination you must remember you cannot 
be warm alone ; you must needs find one, if 
not more, with whom you can converse freely 
on the things of God. This you may prop- 
erly make matter of prayer, and sooner or 
later your prayer will be heard, although some 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



123 



of those with whom you once conversed are 
grown cold. But God is able to provide you 
with others who will not be unstable as water. 
It is a great blessing that he has upheld your 
goings in the way, and enabled you still to 
press on to the mark. May he stablish, 
strengthen, and settle you ! 
To Miss Harriet Lewis. 



"O LOOK UNTO HIM, AND BE SAVED ! " 

WITHOUT doubt it seems to you that 



* » yours is a peculiar case. You think 
there is none like you in the world. Indeed 
there are. It may be ten thousand persons 
are now in the same state of mind as you. I 
myself was so a few years ago. I felt the 
wrath of God abiding on me. I was afraid 
every hour of dropping into hell. I knew 
myself to be the chief of sinners. Though I 
had been very innocent in the account of 
others, I saw my heart to be all sin and cor- 
ruption. I was without the knowledge and 
the love of God, and therefore an abomina- 
tion in his sight. 

But I had an Advocate with the Father, Jesus 
Christ the righteous. And so have you. He 
died for your sins, and he is now pleading for 



XCVIII. 




wesley's letters 



you at the right hand of God. O look unto 
him, and be saved ! He loves you freely, 
without any merit of yours. He has atoned 
for all your sins. 

See all your sins on Jesus laid. 

His blood has paid for all. Fear nothing ; only 

believe. His mercy embraces you ; it holds you 

in on every side. Surely you shall not depart 

hence till your eyes have seen his salvation. 
To Miss H . 

XC1X. 

"THE BEST MEANS OF PURIFYING YOUR SOUL." 

[Miss J. C. March was a regular correspondent of Mr. 
Wesley, but he appears to have written her but few-letters. 
We know little concerning her beyond what Mr. Wes- 
ley's letter states. We have her experience as told to 
him : 11 O how sweet a life is the life of faith, which 
teaches how to depend on Christ alone for all we want ; 
which saves the soul from all confidence in the flesh, while 
it enriches and fills it with love, peace, joy, long-suffer- 
ing. . . . There is hardly anything so blest to me as reading 
the word of God, and sometimes I think I never believed 
the Bible till within these last nine months ; every word 
seems so spoken to my heart ; I so feel, All is yours."] 

Alnwick. 

SOMETIMES I have been afraid lest you 
should sustain loss for want of some re- 
proach or disgrace. Your being young and a 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



woman of fortune and not wanting in under- 
standing were circumstances which, accord- 
ing to the ordinary course of providence, keep 
reproach at a distance. However, you shall 
not escape it, if our blessed Lord sees it to be 
the best means of purifying your soul. You 
shall have it just in due measure and in due 
time ; for he will withhold from you no man- 
ner of thing that is good. There is one with 
me here who seems as yet to be under a pecul- 
iar dispensation ; to be wholly screened from 
the reproach of Christ. There is something 
in the natural temper, the understanding, the 
person, and the behavior of Lady M. which 
has hitherto prevented reproach, although she 
is much devoted to God and in many things 
quite singular. But she is not careful about 
it, being willing, whenever he shall see it best, 
and in whatever measure he shall choose, to 
share the portion of her Lord. The knowl- 
edge of ourselves is true humility, and with- 
out this we cannot be freed from vanity, 
a desire of praise being inseparably con- 
nected with every degree of pride. Con- 
tinual watchfulness is absolutely necessary 
to hinder this from stealing in upon us. But 
as long as we steadily watch and pray we 
shall not enter into temptation. It may, and 



126 



Wesley's letters 



will, assault us on every side, but it cannot 

prevail. 
To J. C. M. 

C. 

" IF THERE IS NO FIGHT THERE IS NO VICTORY." 

[The daughter of Rev. Vincent Perronet was once 
called by Wesley 11 a burning and a shining light." She 
believed 11 Christians ought to be like something poured 
out to all around." She had "high views of the holiness 
necessary to qualify the soul to appear with joy before 
the judgment seat of Christ, and as the state of her nerves 
was remarkably weak she was peculiarly exposed to the 
fiery darts of the devil, and frequently lived under the 
most painful apprehensions lest when called for by her 
Lord she should not be found completely ready, without 
spot before God." Her father writes : *' September 9, 
1782, my dear daughter Damaris was taken up into 
heaven in an apoplectic fit. So that at this time I have 
ten in glory, with their dear mother ! "] 

Dublin, March 30, 1771. 

I DO not wonder you should find such a near- 
ness to M. B. She is an amiable young 
woman. When she was with us last I marked 
her every word, and almost every meaning, but 
I could find nothing to reprove. There was in 
all her actions sanctity and love. God sent her 
to you in an acceptable time. She came with 
a good message, and blessed is she that be- 
lieved ; for there shall be a performance of 
those things which were spoken unto her. He 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



127 



will water you every moment, and on this de- 
pends the continuance of the great salvation. 
It will surely continue if you watch and pray, 
and yet not without temptation I expect 
temptations will come about you 

Thick as autumnal leaves that strew the vales. 

But what are temptations to you ? He giveth 
occasions of fighting that you may conquer. 
If there is no fighting there is no victory. 
There is no general rule whereby we can 
always determine whether a thought come 
from a good or an evil spirit; but on all par- 
ticular occasions we may plead that promise, 
" If a man be willing to do my will, he shall 
know of the doctrine," or suggestion, by the 

light then given, 44 whether it be of God." 

To Miss Damans Perronet. 



TWO SERIES OF LETTERS. 



1. LETTERS TO A YOUNG DISCIPLE. 
2. LETTERS TO A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY. 



These two series of letters were written to two young 
women whose names are not given. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



I. LETTERS TO A YOUNG DISCIPLE. 



CI. 

" WHAT IS IT OUR LORD CALLS YOU TO NOW?" 

Dublin, March 30, 1771. 

SO poor, tempted, disconsolate was sent 
to London for your sake also ! She was 
sent to you, among others, to quicken your ex- 
pectation of the great salvation. And what 
is it our Lord calls you to now ? Whereunto 
thou hast attained, hold fast ! You may un- 
doubtedly lose what God has given ; but you 
never need. Is not his grace sufficient for you ? 
Is not his strength made perfect in weakness? 
Indeed, you shall pass through the fire, but lean 
upon him, and the flames shall not kindle upon 
you. You shall go through the waters ; but 
keep hold on him, and the floods shall not run 
over you. Suffer all, and conquer all. 

In every temptation, He keeps you to prove 
His utmost salvation, his fullness of love. 

Be exceeding wary in your conversation, that 

it may be worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Let 
10 



132 



wesley's letters 



not the liveliness of your spirit lead you into 
levity ; cheerful seriousness is the point you 
are to aim at. And be willing to suffer with 
him, that you may reign with him. Deny your- 
self, take up your cross daily, and follow him ! 



" THERE ARE TIMES OF NEARER ACCESS TO GOD." 



HERE is no fear I should forget you, 



* especially at this time, when all the 
powers of hell are engaged against you ; but 
let them come about you like bees, they shall 
be extinct as the fire among the thorns. 
Tempted you are, and will be ; otherwise you 
could not know your own weakness and the 
strength of your Master. But all temptations 
will 11 work together for good ; " all are for 
your profit, that you may be partakers of his 
holiness. You may always have an evidence 
both of God's love to you and of yours to him. 
And, at some times, the former answers the 
design of him that makes it. It is certain 
there are times of nearer access to God, and 
that it nearly imports us to improve those 
precious seasons. But we may find plausible 
objections against this, and, indeed, against 
anything. 



CII. 



BANDON, May 2, 1 771. 




TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



133 



cm. 



"DIVIDING LINE OF TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD." 



RUTH and falsehood, and so right and 



* wrong tempers, are often divided by an 
almost imperceptible line. It is the more 
difficult to distinguish right and wrong tem- 
pers, or passions, because, in several instances, 
the same motion of the blood and animal 
spirits will attend both one and the other. 
Therefore, in many cases, we cannot distin- 
guish them but by the unction of the Holy 
One. In the case you mention all self-com- 
placency or self-approbation is not pride. 
Certainly there may be self-approbation, which 
is not sin, though it must occasion a degree of 
pleasure. " This is our rejoicing, even the 
testimony of our conscience toward God." 
And this joy is neither better nor worse for 
being accompanied with a natural motion of 
the blood and spirits. Equally natural, and 
equally innocent, is the joy which we receive 
from being approved by those we love. But 
in all these instances there is need of the ut- 
most care, lest we slide from innocent joy, or 
self-approbation, into that which is not inno- 
cent, into pride (thinking of ourselves more 



Dublin, July 13, 1771. 




134 



wesley's letters 



highly than we ought to think), or vanity, a 

desire of praise. 

For thin partitions do their bounds divide. 

CIV. 

" SATAN ATTACKS US OX THE WEAK SIDE." 

The Hay, August 24, 1771. 

IF you find any comfort or help thereby, 
write on, without any reasoning about 
the matter. The various thoughts and sug- 
gestions you mention are just such as any 
person of a lively imagination may expect. 
Satan, too, very well knows whereof we are 
made, and always attacks us on the weak side. 
But these, and a thousand clouds passing over 
your mind, prove nothing as to the state of 
your heart; see that this be devoted to him, 
and it is enough. You have given it him ; 
stand to your gift. However, then, your 
imagination may be affected, you will have the 
testimony of a good conscience toward God. 
Not but that you may plead that promise, " The 
peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds 
through Christ Jesus." As the former w r ord 
takes in all your passions, so does the latter all 
the workings of your reason and imagination. 
Pray, therefore, and look for the answ r er of 
your prayer. It shall come, and not tarry. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



135 



CV. 

** IN DANGER OF HAVING MORE SAIL THAN BAL- 
LAST." 

Kingswood, September 13, 1771. 

YOUR present weakness will, I hope, be 
an unspeakable blessing. You were in 
danger of having more sail than ballast, more 
liveliness of imagination than solid wisdom. 
But it seems God is correcting this defect and 
giving you more steadiness of mind. You 
now see and feel what is the real value of this 
poor, perishable world, and how little real hap- 
piness is to be found in all things under the 
sun. 

It is right to pour out our whole soul before 
Him that careth for us. But it is good, like- 
wise, to unbosom ourselves to a friend in 
whom we can confide. This also is an ap- 
pointed means which it generally pleases God 
to bless. 

CVI. 

"PEACE WILL INCREASE AS YOUR FAITH IN- 
CREASES." 

Whitney, October 16, 1771. 

IT is no fault to be grieved at the unkindness 
of those we love : only it may go to an ex- 
cess, so that we have need to watch in this, 



136 wesley's letters 

as in all things, seeing the life of man is a 
temptation upon earth. And it is no fault 
not to grieve for the censure we must often 
meet with for following our own conscience. 
Of those little ones you cannot be too tender or 
too careful ; and as you are frequently alone 
you may teach them many important lessons, 
as they are able to bear them. But it requires 
immense patience ; for you must tell them the 
same thing ten times over, or you do nothing. 

A higher degree of that peace which may 
well be said to pass all understanding will 
keep, not only your heart, but all the work- 
ings of your mind (as the word properly sig- 
nifies), both of your reason and imagination, 
from all irregular sallies. This peace will in- 
crease as your faith increases ; one always 
keeps pace with the other. So that on this 
account also your continual prayer should be, 
" Lord, increase my faith ! 11 A continual de- 
sire is a continual prayer, that is, in a low 
sense of the word ; for there is a far higher 
sense — such an open intercourse with God, 
such a close, uninterrupted communion with 
him, as G. Lopez experienced, and not a few of 
our brethren now alive. This you also should 
aspire after, as you know he with whom we 
have to do is no respecter of persons. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



137 



CVII. 

"THE WHOLE OF RELIGION CONTRACTED TO A 

POINT." 

January 5, 1 772. 

TT is not always a defect to mind one thing 
* at a time. And an aptness so to do, to 
employ the whole vigor of the mind on the 
thing in hand, may answer excellent purposes. 
Only you have need to be exceeding wary, 
lest the thing you pursue be wrong. First, be 
well assured not only that it is good, but that 
it is the best thing for you at that time ; and 
then, whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do 
it with your might But you have all things 
in one, the whole of religion contracted to a 
point, in that word, " Walk in love, as Christ 
also loved us, and gave himself for us." All is 
contained in humble, gentle, patient love. Is 
not this, so to speak, a divine contrivance to 
assist the narrowness of our minds, the scanti- 
ness of our understandings ? Every right 
temper, and then all right words and actions, 
naturally branch out of love. In effect, there- 
fore, you want nothing but this, to be filled 
with the faith that worketh by love. 



Wesley's letters 



CVIII. 

" OUR ADVANCES IN THE RACE SET BEFORE US." 

July 23, 1773. 
A T many times our advances in the race set 
**■ before us are clear and perceptible ; at 
other times they are no more perceptible (at 
least to ourselves) than the growth of a tree. 
At any time you may pray, 

14 Strength and comfort from Thy word, 
Imperceptibly supply." 

And when you perceive nothing it does not 
follow that the work of God stands still in 
your soul, especially while your desire is unto 
him, and while you choose him for your por- 
tion. He does not leave you to yourself, 
though it may seem so to your apprehension. 
The difference between temptation and sin is 
generally plain enough to all that are simple 
of heart ; but in some exempt cases it is not 
plain ; there we want the unction of the Holy 
One. Voluntary humility, calling every de- 
fect a sin, is not well-pleasing to God. Sin, 
properly speaking, is neither more nor less 
than " a voluntary transgression of a known 
law of God." 

There are a thousand instances wherein it 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



139 



is not possible literally to make restitution. 
All that we can advise in the case you mention 
is, 1. Let him that stole, steal no more; let 
him be from this hour rigorously just. 2. Let 
him be a faithful steward of the mammon of 
unrighteousness, restoring all he can to God, 
in the poor. 

CIX. 

"MY OWN MOTHER." 

August 20, 1773. 
T OFTEN heard my own mother make the 
* same complaint with you. She did not feel 
near so much as my father did ; but she did 
ten times more than he did. You must labor 
to do so much the more, and pray that God 
would supply whatever is wanting. One de- 
gree of forgiveness is due to everyone, though 
impenitent ; still I love him as I love all men. 
But the other degree, whereby I should again 
receive him as a friend, is only due to one 
who says, " I repent ; " that is, convinces me 
that he does really repent and is entirely 
changed. 

It is certain God has given you a talent, 
and I still think it ought to be used. I grant, 
indeed, to be hid and to be still is more agree- 
able to flesh and blood ; but is it more agree- 



140 



wesley's letters 



able to him " who hath left us an example that 
we might tread in his steps ? " 

One cannot be saved from evil tempers 
without being devoted to God ; neither can a 
soul be all devoted to God without being 
saved from sin ; but it is often exceeding hard 
to judge of others, whether they are saved 
from all evil tempers, and whether they are 
all devoted to God or not; yea, it is hard to 
judge of ourselves ; nay, we cannot do it with- 
out the anointing of the Holy One given for 
that purpose. Out of darkness God will com- 
mand light to shine. Be plain and open to 
all ; then, whether they are sincere or insin- 
cere, you will have a 'conscience void of 
offense. You find all things work together 
for good. They must, while the hairs of your 
head are all numbered. 

CX. 

" ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO BE A DISCIPLE OF 

JESUS CHRIST." 

Le WISH AM, December 3, 1773. 

YOU are yourself a living witness of this 
religion. But it is only in a low degree. 
I grant you are only just beginning to be a 
disciple of Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable 
blessing that he shows you this in so clear 



TO YOUNG WOMEN 



141 



and strong a light. And undoubtedly he is 
able to make you completely serious, and yet 
this is consistent with much cheerfulness. 
You shall have more or less of reproach as he 
chooses. Your part is to leave all in his 
hands who orders all things well. Go straight 
forward, and you shall be all a Christian ! I 
expect that you will be more and more a com- 
fort to, my dear, Yours, affectionately. 



142 



wesley's letters 



II. LETTERS TO A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY. 



CXI. 

" REJOICE in god your saviour." 

March 4, 1760. 
/^ERTAINLY the more freedom you use 
the more advantage you will find. But 
at the same time it will be needful continually 
to remember from whom every good and per- 
fect gift cometh. If He blesses our inter- 
course with each other, then we shall never 
repent of the labor. 

It is a blessing, indeed, when God uncovers 
our hearts and clearly shows us what spirit 
we are of. But there is no manner of neces- 
sity that this self-knowledge should make us 
miserable. Certainly the highest degree of it 
is well consistent both with peace and joy in 
the Holy Ghost. Therefore how deeply so- 
ever you may be convinced of pride, self-will, 
peevishness, or any other inbred sin, see that 
you do not let go that confidence whereby 
you may still rejoice in God your Saviour. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



143 



Some, indeed, have been quite unhappy, 
though they retained their faith, through desire 
on the one hand and conviction on the other. 
But that is nothing to you ; you need never give 
up anything which you have already received ; 
you will not, if you keep close to that, 

For this my vehement soul stands still ; 
Restless, resign'd, for this I wait. 

We have a fuller, clearer knowledge of our 
own members than of those belonging to other 
societies, and may, therefore, without any cul- 
pable partiality, have a better opinion of them. 

It is a great thing to spend all our time to 
the glory of God. But you need not be scru- 
pulous as to the precise time of reading and 
praying ; I mean as to the dividing it between 
one and the other. A few minutes one way 
or the other are of no great importance. 

May He who loves you fill you with his pure 
love! 

CXII. 

" PRAYER THE GRAND MEANS OF DRAWING NEAR 

TO GOD." 

March 29, 1760. 

HAVING a little longer reprieve, I snatch 
the opportunity of writing a few lines 
before we embark. Prayer is certainly the 



144 



Wesley's letters 



grand means of drawing near to God, and all 
others are helpful to us only so far as they are 
mixed with, or prepare us for, this. The 
comfort of it may be taken away by wander- 
ing thoughts, but not the benefit; violently to 
fight against these is not the best and speed- 
iest way to conquer them; but rather humbly 
and calmly to ask and wait for his help, who 
will bruise Satan under your feet. You may 
undoubtedly remain in peace and joy until 
you are perfected in love. You need neither 
enter into a dispute, when persons speak 
wrong, nor yet betray the truth ; there is a 
middle way. You may simply say, " I believe 
otherwise ; but I think and let think ; I am 
not fond of contending on this or any other 
head, lest I receive more hurt than I can do 
good." Remember your calling ; be 

A simple follower of the Lamb, 
And harmless as a little child. 

CXIII. 

" NEVER BE AFRAID OF EXPECTING TOO MUCH." 

June 17, 1761. 

T APPREHEND your great danger now is 
* this, to think you never shall receive that 
blessing because you have not received it yet. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 145 

I Nay, perhaps, you may be tempted to believe 

that there is no such thing, and that those who 
thought they had received it were mistaken as 
well as you. This danger will be increased if 
some who professed to be sanctified long ago, 
and yet have not received this blessing, affirm 
there is no such thing, and begin to warn 
others against falling into this delusion. But 
keep close to your rule, the word of God, and 
to your guide, the Spirit of God, and never be 
afraid of expecting too much ; as yet you are 
but a babe. O what heights of holiness are 
to come ! I hope you do not forget to pray 
for me. Adieu ! 

CXIV. 

"THE EARNEST AND THE SLACK." 

May 13, 1762. 

YOU did well to write. " It is good to hide 
the secrets of a king; but to declare the 
loving-kindness of the Lord." Have you 
never found any wandering since? Is your 
mind always stayed on God ? Do you find 
every thought brought into captivity to the 
obedience of Christ? Do no vain thoughts 
(useless, trifling, unedifying) lodge within 
you ? Does not the corruptible body at some 
times, more or less, press down the soul ? 



146 



Wesley's letters 



Has God made your very dreams devout? I 
have known Satan assault in their sleep (en- 
deavoring to terrify or affright) those whom 
he could not touch when they were awake. 

As to your band, there are two sorts of per- 
sons with whom you may have to do — the ear- 
nest and the slack ; the way you are to take 
with the one is quite different from that one 
would take with the other. The latter you 
must search, and find out why they are slack ; 
exhort them to repent, be zealous, do the first 
works. The former you have only to encour- 
age, to exhort, to push forward to the mark, 
to bid them grasp the prize so nigh. And do 
so yourself. Receive a thousand more bless- 
ings; believe more, love more; you cannot 
love enough. Beware of sins of omission. 

cxv. 

"SOME HAVE MORE OF HEAT, SOME OF LIGHT." 

October 9, 1762. 

THOUGH I have very little time I must 



* write a few lines. I thank you for your 
comfortable letter. Some have more of heat, 
and some of light. The danger is that one 
should say to the other, " I have no need of 
thee," or that any should mistake his place 




TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



147 



and imagine himself to be what he is not. Be 
not backward to speak to any whom you think 
are mistaken, either in this or other things. 
A loving word, spoken in faith, shall not fall 
to the ground, and the more freely you speak 
to me at any time, or on any head, the more 
you will oblige. 



HE true Gospel touches the very edge 



A of both Calvinism and Antinomianism, so 
that nothing but the power of God can pre- 
vent our sliding either into the one or the 
other. 

The nicest point of all which relates to 
Christian perfection is that which you inquire 
of. Thus much is certain : they that love 
God with all their heart, and all men as them- 
selves, are scripturally perfect. And surely 
such there are, otherwise the promise of God 
would be a mere mockery of human weakness. 
Hold fast this ; but then remember, on the 
other hand, you have this treasure in an 
earthen vessel; you dwell in a poor, shattered 
house of clay, which presses down the immor- 
tal spirit. Hence all your thoughts, words, 



CXVI. 



THE SCRIPTURALLY PERFECT. 



April 7, 1763. 




11 



148 



wesley's letters 



and actions are so imperfect, so far from 
coming up to the standard (that law of love, 
which, but for the corruptible body, your soul 
would answer in all instances) that you may 
well say, till you go to Him you love, 

14 Every moment, Lord, I need the merit of thy death." 

CXVII. 

A CAUSE OF SECOND DARKNESS — EVIL REASON- 
ING. 

October 13, 1 764. 

T DO not see that you can speak otherwise 
* than you do in your band. If you sought 
their approbation, that would be wrong ; but 
you may suffer it without blame. Indeed, in 
these circumstances you must, since it is un- 
deniably plain that the doing otherwise would 
hurt rather than help their souls. I believe 

Miss F thought she felt evil before she 

did, and by that very thought gave occasion 
to its reentrance. You ought not to speak 
explicitly to many ; very few would under- 
stand or know how to advise you. For some 

time I thought M did, and was therefore 

glad of your acquaintance with him, hoping 
he would lead you by the hand in a more 
profitable manner than I was able to do, but 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



149 



I afterward doubted. The Lord send you 
help by whom he will send ! 

From what not only you but many others 
likewise have experienced we find there is 
very frequently a kind of wilderness state, not 
only after justification, but even after deliver- 
ance from sin, and I doubt whether the sermon 
upon that state might not give you light in this 
case also. But the most frequent cause of this 
second darkness or distress, I believe, is evil rea- 
soning ; by this three in four of those who cast 
away their confidence are gradually induced so 
to do. And if this be the cause, is there any 
way to regain that deliverance but by resum- 
ing your confidence ? And can you receive it, 
unless you receive it freely, not of works, but 
by mere grace? This is the way ; walk thou 
in it. Dare to believe ! Look up and see thy 
Saviour near ! When ? To-morrow or to-day ? 
Nay, to-day hear his voice. At this time ; at 
this place. Lord, speak; thy servant heareth ! 

CXVIII. 

" ARE YOU STILL MAKING THE BEST OF LIFE?" 

June 29, 1767. 

"TJOR some days you have been much on my 
* mind. Are you still making the best of 
life ? employing a few days exactly in such a 



wesley's letters 



manner as you judge is most to the glory of 
God ? And do you still hold fast what you 
have received and expect the fullness of the 
promise ? Surely you may retain all that ear- 
nestness of expectation to which Mr. M 

used to incite you without any prejudice either 
to humility or sobriety of spirit. Doubtless 
it is possible, with Mr. Dryden's leave, u to be 
wise and love " at the same time, and neither 
of these need interfere with the other, seeing 
the spirit of love is also the spirit of wisdom. 
Are all your family breathing this spirit and 
strengthening each other's hands in God ? I 
hope you have the satisfaction of observing 
the same thing in most of those that are round 
about you, and of seeing the work of God 
prosper wherever you have occasion to be. 
When you are with the genteel part of your 
acquaintance you have more immediate need 
of watching unto prayer, or you will insensibly 
drink into the lightness of their spirit and 
abate a little of the accuracy of your walking. 
Nay, stand fast, walking in every point as 
Christ also walked. Fashion and custom are 
nothing to you; you have a more excellent 
rule. You are resolved to be a Bible Chris- 
tian, and that, by the grace of God, not in 
some, but in all points. Go on in the name 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



of God and in the power of his might. Still 
let your eye be single ; aim at one point ; re- 
tain and increase your communion with God. 
You have nothing else to do. 

Happy and wise, the time redeem, 
And live, my friend, and die to Him. 

At some times we must look at outward 
things ; such is the present condition of hu- 
manity. But we have need quickly to return 
home ; for what avails all but Christ reigning 
in the heart ? 

Daily in his grace to grow ? 

What else have we to care for ? Only now to 
use all the grace we have received, and now 
to expect all we want. The Lord Jesus swal- 
low you up in his love ! 

CXIX. 

"EXERCISED IN THINGS DIVINE." 

May, 1769. 

DY comparing your own outward state with 
Mrs. you now see clearly the ad- 

vantages you enjoy ; you have nothing exter- 
nal to hinder your waiting upon God without 
carefulness and without distraction. None 
has a right to interrupt you while you are 



Wesley's letters 



exercised in things divine and laboring to be 
holy in body and spirit. You may have just 
so much and no more connection with any 
one as experience shows is profitable for you. 
O stand fast in this liberty, glorifying God 
with all you have and all you are ! 

It is remarkable that St. Paul places this the 
last of all, that " love endureth all things;" 
and this is the sum of his wish with regard to 
the Colossians, u that they might be strength- 
ened into all patience and long-suffering with 
joyfulness." They who have attained this are 
ripe for the inheritance and ready to salute 
their friends in light. There is a time when 
we grow up toward this, even without any sen- 
sible increase; as in the parable, the seed 
groweth and springs up, he knoweth not how. 
At many times, indeed, we do know how the 
power of the Highest suddenly overshadows 
us, while either the first or the pure love is 
shed abroad in our hearts. But at other times 
he confirms and increases that love in a grad- 
ual and almost insensible manner. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



iS3 



CXX. 



"CONNECTION BETWEEN RIGHT JUDGMENT AND 



HEN things are viewed at a distance 



Y " one would be apt to imagine that no 
degree of sorrow could be found in a heart 
that rejoices evermore ; that no right temper 
could be wanting, much less any degree of a 
wrong temper subsist, in a soul that is filled 
with love; and yet I am in doubt whether there 
be any soul clothed with flesh and blood which 
enjoys every right temper, and in which is no 
degree of any wrong one ; suppose of ill- 
judged zeal, or more or less affection for some 
person than that person really deserves. 
When we say, " This is a natural, necessary 
consequence of the soul's union with a cor- 
ruptible body," the assertion is by no means 
clear till we add, " because of the weakness of 
understanding which results from this union ; " 
admitting this the case is plain. There is so 
close a connection between right judgment 
and right tempers, as well as right practice, 
that the latter cannot easily subsist without 
the former. Some wrong temper, at least in a 
small degree, almost necessarily follows from 



RIGHT TEMPERS. 




T 54 



wesley's letters 



wrong judgment ; I apprehend when many 
say, " Sin must remain while the body re- 
mains," this is what they mean, though they 
cannot make it out. 

You say, u My silence usually proceeds from 
my views and thoughts of myself as a Chris- 
tian." Bishop Fenelon says, " Simplicity is 
that grace which frees the soul from all un- 
necessary reflections upon itself." See here 
one sort of simplicity which you want ! When 
I speak or write to you I have you before my 
eyes, but, generally speaking, I do not think 
of myself at all. I do not think whether I am 
wise or foolish, knowing or ignorant ; but I 
see you aiming at glory and immortality, and 
say just what I hope may direct your goings 
in the way and prevent your being weary or 
faint in your mind. Our Lord will order all 

things well for Sister T . What can hurt 

those who trust in him ? 

CXXI. 

"THE WHOLE COMPASS OF RELIGION." 

September 15, 1770. 

HTO use the grace given is the certain way to 
* obtain more grace. To use all the faith 
you have will bring an increase of faith. But 
this word is of very wide extent ; it takes in 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



155 



the full exercise of every talent wherewith we 
are intrusted. This comprises the whole com- 
pass of both inward and outward religion. 
That you may be able steadily and effectually 
to attend to this you have need of that prayer, 
" Give me understanding, that I may keep thy 
law; yea, that I may keep it with my whole 
heart." This is to "make the best of life," 
which cannot be done without growing in 
grace. 

A sense of wants and of weaknesses, with 
various trials and temptations, will do you no 
real hurt, though they occasion heaviness for 
a time and abate your joy in the Lord. It is 
wrong so to attend to this as to weaken our 
faith, and yet, in the general, it is not wrong 
" to form your estimate of the state of your 
soul from your sensations ; " not, indeed, from 
these alone, but from these in conjunction 
with your words and actions. It is true we 
cannot judge of ourselves by the measure of 
our joy, the most variable of all our sensa- 
tions and frequently depending, in a great de- 
gree, on the state of our blood and spirits. 
But if you take love, joy, peace, meekness, 
gentleness, and resignation together, I know 
no surer rule whereby to judge of your state to 
Godward. 



Wesley's letters 



CXXII. 

"ANGER AT SIN IS A DUTY." 

May 31, 1771. 
A LTHOUGH we have "faith's abiding im- 
*^ pression realizing things to come," yet as 
long as we are in the body we have but an 
imperfect, shadowy knowledge of the things 
of eternity. For now we only see them in a 
glass, a mirror, which gives us no more than 
a shadow of them ; therefore we see them 
darkly, or in a riddle, as St. Paul speaks. The 
whole invisible world is as yet a riddle to us ; 
and it seems to be in this sense that some 
writers speak so much of the night or dark- 
ness of faith, namely, when opposed to sight ; 
that is, to the view of things which we shall 
have when the veil of flesh and blood is re- 
moved. 

Those reasonings concerning the measure 
of holiness (a curious, not useful, question) are 
not inconsistent with pure love, but they tend 
to damp it, and were you to pursue them far 
they would lead you into unbelief. 

What you feel is certainly a degree of an- 
ger, but not of sinful anger ; there ought to be 
in us (as there was in our Lord) not barely a 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



157 



perception in the understanding that this or 
that is evil, but also an emotion of mind, a 
sensation or passion suitable thereto. This 
anger at sin, accompanied with love and com- 
passion to the sinner, is so far from being itself 
a sin that it is rather a duty. St. Paul's word 
is, "not easily provoked " to any paroxysm of 
anger; neither are you ; nevertheless, I suppose 
there is in you, when you feel a proper anger 
at sin, a hurrying motion of the blood and 
spirits, which is an imperfection, and will be 
done away. 

CXXIII. 

" I LOVE ONE THAT PERSEVERES IN DRY DUTY." 

June 25, 1771. 

UNDOUBTEDLY the reward which is 
purchased for us by the blood of the 
covenant will be proportioned to what we are 
(through grace), what we do, and what we suffer. 
Whatever, therefore, prevents our doing good 
prevents our receiving so full a reward ; and 
what can countervail that loss ? It is cer- 
tainly right that we should bear one another's 
burdens ; that we should weep with them 
that weep, and for them that weep not for 
themselves. " When Jesus saw them weeping, 
he troubled himself ; " he willingly sustained 
that emotion ; he voluntarily suffered that sor- 



wesley's letters 



row, and it is good for us to tread in his steps. 
" But how far?" Just so far as does not dis- 
qualify us for any other part of our duty; so 
far as softens, not unnerves, the mind ; as makes 
us more, not less, zealous of good works. 

Undoubtedly there are various kinds and 
various degrees of communion with God ; we 
cannot confine it to one only ; it may take in 
the exercise of every affection, either single or 
variously mixed together, and may run through 
all our outward employments. The most de- 
sirable prayer is that where we can quite pour 
out our soul and freely talk with God. But it 
is not this alone which is acceptable to him. 
u I love one," said a holy man, " that perseveres 
in dry duty." Beware of thinking even this 
is labor lost. God does much work in the 
heart even at those seasons. 

And when the soul, sighing to be approved, 
Says, " Could I love," and stops, God writeth, 
" Loved !" 

CXXIV. 

"THE PROPERTIES OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP/' 

June 17, 1774. 

THE praying much for those we love much 
is doubtless the fruit of affection, but 
such an affection as is well-pleasing to God 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 159 

and is wrought in us by his own Spirit. 
Therefore it is certain the intercession that 
flows from that affection is according to the 
will of God. 

That is an exceedingly nice question, " How 
far may we desire the approbation of good 
men ? " I think it cannot be proved that such 
a desire is anywhere forbidden in Scripture. 
But it requires a very strong influence of 
the Holy Spirit to prevent its running into 
excess. 

Friendship is one species of love, and is in 
its proper sense a disinterested reciprocal love 
between two persons. Wicked persons are, 
it seems, incapable of friendship. For "he 
who fears no God can love no friend." Nor, 
indeed, is every one that fears God capable of 
friendship. It requires a peculiar turn of 
mind, without which it can have no being. 
The properties of Christian friendship are the 
same as the properties of love ; with those 
which St. Paul so beautifully describes in the 
thirteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the 
Corinthians. And it produces, as occasions 
offer, every good word and work. Many have 
laid down the rules whereby it should be regu- 
lated, but they are not to be comprised in a 
few lines. One is, " Give up everything to 



i6o 



Wesley's letters 



your friend except a good conscience toward 
God." V^jjjj 
There have undoubtedly been instances of 
real friendship among Jews, yea, and among 
heathens who were susceptible of it ; but they 
were by no means wicked men ; they were 
men fearing God and working righteousness, 
according to the dispensation they were under. 
I apprehend wicked men, under whatever dis- 
pensation, to be absolutely incapable of true 
friendship. By wicked men I mean either 
men openly profane or men void of justice, 
mercy, and truth. There may be a shadow of 
friendship between those, whether of the same 
or of different sexes. But surely the substance 
is wanting ; in all my experience I have found 
no exception to this rule. 

cxxv. 

"SUM UP THE EXPERIENCE OF PERSONS." 

November 30, 1774. 

WHEN I formerly removed from one college 
to another I fixed my resolution not to 
be hastily acquainted with anyone ; indeed, 
not to return any visit unless I had a reasonable 
hope of receiving or doing good therein. This 
my new neighbors generally imputed to pride ; 
and I was willing to suffer the imputation. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. l6l 

I " sum up the experience " of persons, too, 
in order to form their general character. But 
in doing this we take a different way of mak- 
ing our estimate. It may be you chiefly re- 
gard (as my brother does) the length of their 
experience. Now, this I make little account 
of ; I measure the depth and breadth of it. 
Does it sink deep in humble, gentle love ? 
Does it extend wide in all inward and outward 
holiness? If so I do not care whether they 
are of five or five-and-thirty years' standing. 

Nay, when I look at Miss or Miss 

I am ready to hide my face; I am ashamed of 
having set out before they were born. 

Undoubtedly Miss J is deep in grace 

and lives like an angel here below. Yet some 
things in her character I do not admire ; I 
impute them to human frailty. Many years 
ago I might have said, but do not now, 

" Give me a woman made of stone, 
A widow of Pygmalion." 

And just such a Christian one of the fathers, 
Clemens Alexandrinus, describes ; but I do 
not admire that description now as I did for- 
merly. I now see a Stoic and a Christian are 
different characters, and at some times I have 
been a good deal disgusted at Miss J 's 



162 wesley's letters 

apathy. When God restores our friends to 
us we ought to rejoice ; it is a defect if we do 
not. In that and several other instances I 

take knowledge of S R -s littleness of 

understanding ; and this, as well as our tem- 
per, we ought to improve to the utmost of our 
power, which can no otherwise be done than 
by reading authors of various kinds, as well as 
by thinking and conversation. If we read 
nothing but the Bible we should hear nothing 
but the Bible, and then what becomes of 
preaching ? 

Many people have clear conceptions of a 
few things, concerning which they judge and 
reason. But they have no clear ideas of other 
things. So if they reason about them they 
stumble at every step. None can have gen- 
eral good sense unless they have clear and 
determinate ideas of all things. 

cxxvi. A 

" I feel more want of heat than light." 

June 9, 1775. 

T AM less careful about your increase in 
* knowledge, any farther than it tends to 
love. There is a danger of your laying more 
stress on this than sound reason requires. 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 163 

Otherwise you would reap much profit from 
sermons which do not improve your knowl- 
edge, which do not apply to the understand- 
ing so directly as to the heart. I feel more 
want of heat than light. I value light ; but it 
is nothing compared to love. Aim at this, my 
dear friend, in all public exercises, and then 
you will seldom be disappointed. Then you 
will not stop on the threshold of perfection (I 
trust you do not now) ; but will press on to 
the mark, to the prize of the high calling of 
God in Christ Jesus, till you experimentally 
know all that love of God which passeth all 
(speculative) knowledge. 

The lengthening of your life and the restor- 
ing your health are invaluable blessings. But 
do you ask how you shall improve them to 
the glory of the Giver ? And are you willing 
to know ? Then I will tell you how. Go and 
see the poor and sick in their own poor little 
hovels. Take up your cross, woman ! Re- 
member the faith ! Jesus went before you, 
and will go with you. Put off the gentle- 
woman ; you bear a higher character. You 
are an heir of God and joint heir with Christ. 
Are you not going to meet him in the air with 

ten thousand of his saints ? O be ready ! 
12 



164 



wesley's letters 



CXXVII. 

" DO NOT CONFINE YOUR CONVERSATION TO 
GENTEEL AND ELEGANT PEOPLE." 

February 7, 1776. 

HAVE found some of the uneducated poor 
* who have exquisite taste and sentiment, 
and many, very many, of the rich who have 
scarcely any at all. But I do not speak of 
this ; I want you to converse more, abundantly 
more, with the poorest of the people, who, if 
they have not taste, have souls, which you may 
forward in their way to heaven. And they 
have (many of them) faith, and the love of 
God, in a larger measure than any persons I 
know. Creep in among these, in spite of dirt 
and a hundred disgusting circumstances ; and 
thus put off the gentlewoman. Do not con- 
fine your conversation to genteel and elegant 
people. I should like this as well as you do; 
but I cannot discover a precedent for it in 
the life of our Lord or any of his apostles. 
My dear friend, let you and I walk as he 
walked. 

I now understand you with regard to the 
P s ; but I fear in this you are too deli- 
cate. It is certain their preaching is attended 
with the power of God to the hearts of many, 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



and why not to yours ? Is it not owing to a 
want of simplicity ? " Are you going to hear 
Mr. Wesley? M said a friend to Mr. Blackwell. 
" No," he answered, " I am going to hear God. 
I listen to him, whoever preaches ; otherwise 
I lose all my labor." 

" You will only be content to convert worlds ? 
You shall hew wood or carry brick and mor- 
tar; and when you do this in obedience to the 
order of Providence it shall be more profitable 
to your own soul than the other." You may 
remember Mr. De Renty's other remarks : " I 
then saw that a well-instructed Christian is 
never hindered by any person or thing. For 
whatever prevents his doing good works gives 
him a fresh opportunity of submitting his will 
to the will of God, which at that time is more 
pleasing to God, and more profitable to his 
soul, than anything else which he could possi- 
bly do." 

Never let your expenses exceed your in- 
come. To servants I would give full as much 
as others give for the same service, and not 
more. It is impossible to lay down any gen- 
eral rules as to " saving all we can," and "giv- 
ing all we can." In this, it seems, we must 
needs be directed, from time to time, by the 
unction of the Holy One. Evil spirits have 



i66 



Wesley's letters 



undoubtedly abundance of work to do in an 
evil world, frequently in concurrence with 
wicked men, and frequently without them. 



" circumstances which shock the delicacy 
of our education." 

Feb}'uary 26, 1776. 

\ I 7HAT I advise you to is not to contract a 



™ " friendship, or even acquaintance, with 
poor, inelegant, uneducated persons ; but 
frequently, nay, constantly, to visit the poor, 
the widow, the sick, the fatherless, in their 
affliction ; and this, although they should 
have nothing to recommend them, but that 
they are bought with the blood of Christ. It 
is true this is not pleasing to flesh and blood. 
There are a thousand circumstances usually 
attending it which shock the delicacy of our 
nature, or rather of our education. But yet 
the blessing which follows this labor of love 
will more than balance the cross. 

"To be uneasy under obligations which we 
cannot repay " is certainly a fruit of diabol- 
ical generosity; and therefore Milton, with 
great propriety, ascribes it to the devil, and 
makes him speak quite in character, when 



CXXVIII. 




TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



167 



he says, concerning his obligations to God 
himself, 

* 1 So burdensome still paying, still to owe." 

I am quite of another mind ; I entirely agree 
with you, that the more sensible we are of such 
obligations the more happy we are. Surely 
this yoke is easy, and this burden is light ! 

CXXIX. 

"ALWAYS IN HASTE, NEVER IN A HURRY." 

December 10, 1777. 

YOU do not at all understand my manner of 
life. Though I am always in haste I am 
never in a hurry, because I never undertake 
any more work than I can go through with 
perfect calmness of spirit. It is true I travel 
four or five thousand miles in a year. But I 
generally travel alone in my carriage, and con- 
sequently am as retired ten hours in a day as 
if I was in a wilderness. On other days I 
never spend less than three hours (frequently 
ten or twelve) in the day alone. So there are 
few persons in the kingdom who spend so 
many hours secluded from all company. Yet 
I find time to visit the sick and the poor ; and 
I must do it if I believe the Bible, if I believe 
these are the marks whereby the Shepherd of 



i68 



wesley's letters 



Israel will know and judge his sheep at the 
great day ; therefore, when there is time and 
opportunity for it, who can doubt but this is 
matter of absolute duty ? When I was at Ox- 
ford, and lived almost like a hermit, I saw not 
how any busy man could be saved. I scarce 
thought it possible for a man to retain a 
Christian spirit amid the noise and bustle of 
the world. God taught me better by my own 
experience. I had ten times more business in 
America (that is, at intervals) than ever I had 
in my life. But it was no hindrance to silence 
of spirit. 

Mr. Boehm was chaplain to Prince George of 
Denmark ; secretary to him and Queen Anne ; 
principal manager of almost all the public char- 
ities in the kingdom, and employed in number- 
less private charities. An intimate friend, 
knowing this, said to him, when they were alone, 
" Sir, are you not hurt by that amazing hurry of 
business ? I have seen you in your office, sur- 
rounded with people, listening to one, dictating 
to another, and at the same writing to a third ; 
could you then retain a sense of the presence 
of God ? " He answered, "All that company 
and all that business no more hindered or 
lessened my communion with God than if I 
had been all alone in a church kneeling before 



TO YOUNG WOMEN. 



169 



the communion table." Was it not the same 
case with him to whom Gregory Lopez said, 
" Go and be a hermit in Mexico ? " I am 
concerned for you ; I am sorry you should be 
content with lower degrees of usefulness and 
holiness than you are called to. But I cannot 
help it ; so I submit ; and am still, my dear 
Miss M , 

Yours in sincere affection. 



THE END. 



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